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1645—1656 

PORTSMOUTH RECORDS 



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A TRANSCRIPT 


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OF THE 






FIRST 


THIRTY FIVE PAGES 


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OF THE 



EARLIEST TOWN BOOK 

PORTSMOUTH. NEW HAMPSHIRE 

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WITH NOTES 



FRANK VV HACKETT 



PORTSMOUTH 

PRIVATELY PRINTED 
1886 



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R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTER, 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 



INTRODUCnriON 



'he early town records of Portsmoutli, New 
Hampsliire, at least those coming down as late 
as the close of the Revolution, richly deserve to be 
printed. Like the records of our oldest New England 
towns, they have been growing each year more and 
more valuable, until now their historic importance 
justifies the outlay of a reasonable sum to secure 
them against possible destruction by fire, or other- 
wise. Boston has taken the lead by printing in 
full not only her early town records (together with 
those of other towns now included in her limits), 
but also the first three volumes of deecls in the 
Suffolk registry, under the supervision of a Board 
of Commissioners — a wise example that should be 
followed wherever practicable. 



II Introduction 

In the hope of awakening an interest in the sub- 
ject that may do something towards bringing about 
a like result, I have been at the pains in vacation 
time to copy the following pages from the earliest 
town-book, and print them, sparing no labor to en- 
sure accuracy. We ought to be thankful that 
Portsmouth has any early records at all, for they 
just escaped being burnt up in the great fire, on the 
night of 22d December, 1813. The town-books and 
papers were then kept in a wooden chest at the 
Selectmen's office, in the brick school-house on 
State Street, and they would surely have been lost, 
had not one of the selectmen (Hunking Penhallow) 
made his way into the building, and taken them to 
a place of safety. So says Brewster, who probably 
knew the incident from tradition, in a valuable and 
interesting sketch of Jefferson Hall, that forms the 
opening chapter of his second series of Rambles 
About Portsmouth. 

The town-books of a date prior to 1833 are five 
in number. The first contains a record of town- 
meetings and doings of the selectmen from 1662 (or 
earlier) to March, 1696; the second, from 16 
March, 1695, to 13 April, 1779; the third, from 
29 June, 1779, to 27 April, 1807 ; the fourth, 



I 



Introduction iii 

from 4 May, 1807, to 26 March, 1821, and the fifth, 
from 16 April, 1821, to March, 1833. 

Our interest naturally centres upon the first, or 
oldest book. The page (eleven and a half by seven 
and a half inches) is smaller than that of the suc- 
ceeding volumes. The entries are closely written, 
for the most part on both sides of the leaf, and the 
pages number three hundred and fourteen. For a 
long time, half a century perhaps, the unbound 
pages of this book (as I am told by the Honorable 
Marcellus Bufford, formerly city clerk) had been 
laid to one side, tied up in a paper parcel, and 
almost never touched. In its stead, a copy was used 
that had been transcribed under the direction of the 
late Abner Greenleaf, in compliance with a vote of 
the Selectmen, passed 15 February, 1827. The 
handwriting is that of Daniel Huntress. This copy, 
which is well, even handsomely written, no doubt 
answers better than the original for ordinary pur- 
poses, but rigid scrutiny discovers an occasional 
error, due perhaps to the recurrence of a word with 
which the copyist was not familiar. In 1866 the 
original went to the binder, w^ho put it into sub- 
stantial covers, though he appears to have got a 
leaf or two out of its proper place. There are also 



IV Introduction 

bound up with it the leaves of a small index of 
names. 

The first town clerk (of whom we know), or per- 
son to whom was entrusted the keeping of the town- 
book, was Renald Fernald, "chirurgeon," who came 
over in company with others sent out by Capt. John 
Mason, about 1630. After Fernald's death in 1656, 
the town chose Henry Sherburne to keep the book, 
at twenty shillings the year. Elias Stileman suc- 
ceeded Sherburne, in 1660, and held the office of 
town clerk until 20 October, 1681, when it was 
ordered that John Fletcher "keep the towne book, 
and to have for his paines, as the sellect men shall 
think fitt, and this to continue till the towne take 
further order." Richard Martyn followed (April, 
1693-March, 1696), and after him, Samuel Keais, 
who, though an indifferent penman and a some- 
what original speller, evidently gave general satis- 
faction, for he "kept the towne booke" from 1696 to 
1714. Joshua Peirce had the honor of filling the 
ofiice for no less than twenty-nine years (1714-43). 
His successors were Hunking Wentworth (1743-59); 
John Penhallow (1759-80); Jeremiah Libby (1781- 
m)\ John Evans (1785-92); George Wentworth 
(1792-1806) ; Samuel Fernald (1806-09) ; Joseph 



Introduction v 

Seaward (1809-17); Thomas P. Drown (1817-26); 
Daniel P. Drown (1826-32), and John Bennett who 
was the last town clerk, serving from March, 1832 
to 1849, at which latter date Portsmouth had be- 
come a city and Mr. Bennett was chosen the first 
city clerk. 

The first settlement of New Hampshire was made 
at Portsmouth, at a very early date. David Thom- 
son, of Plymouth, England, having sailed from that 
port, in the ship Jonathan^ arrived in the spring of 
1623, off the mouth of the Pascataqua. He came, 
with perhaps not more than ten men, to put up 
houses for carrying on fishing, trading with the 
natives — in tine, to begin a settlement. This was in 
pursuance of a contract between Thomson and three 
merchant adventurers, also of Plymouth, named 
Abraham Colmer, Nicholas Sherwill and Leonard 
Pomeroy. The founder of New Hampshire landed 
at the Little Harbor mouth of the Pascataqua, on 
what is now called Odiorne's Point, in the town of 
Rye, formerly a part of Portsmouth. The Indians 
called the spot "Pannaway." Here, on a slight 
eminence that commands a beautiful view, Thom- 
son built a stone house, whose ruins in 1680 were 
plainly seen when Hubbard wrote, and traces of 



Yi Introduction 

whose foundation wall are not wholly obliterated at 
the present day. Thomson himself removed to Mas- 
sachusetts Bay in 1626, but it is thought that the 
settlement was not abandoned. 

The little we know of this infant enterprise is 
well presented in a timely monograph, by the late 
John Scribner Jenness, entitled The First Planting 
of Keio Hampsliire, privately printed at Ports- 
mouth, in 1878. Upon sufficient historical data and 
with much force of reasoning, this interesting writer 
disproves the claim, sometime asserted, that to the 
Hiltons at Dover Point (six or seven miles up the 
Pascataqua) is to be credited the first settlement of 
the State. In the light of the result reached by 
so accurate and otherwise competent an authority, 
the question of prior locality ought surely to be 
treated as forever put to rest. Whatever possible 
doubts may have hitherto retarded the project, there 
seems now to be no good reason for delaying the 
erection of a plain, granite shaft at Odiorne's Point, 
to mark the site of the founding of New Hampshire. 

It is proper, likewise, to acknowledge that New 
Hampshire is indebted to Charles Deane, of Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts, for bringing to light and 
annotating the original indenture, dated 14 Decern- 



Introduction vii 

ber, 1622, by the terms of which Thomson had 
bound himself to enter upon the venture. Dr. Deane 
discusses, with his usual learning, the bearings of 
this instrument upon the history of our first settle- 
ment, contributing information of special value 
upon a point long involved in obscurity. His re- 
marks are the more welcome, because they clear the 
subject of errors to be laid to Hubbard's door, to 
whose statements hitherto a credit has been given 
that now appears unwarranted, errors to be dealt 
with by no less an authority than Dr. Deane, since 
even so careful and just a writer as Belknap adopted 
them without suspicion. (^Notes Relating to David 
Thomson, etc. Reprinted from proceedings Mass. 
Hist. Society, May, 1876 ; Cambridge, 1876). 

In 1630, and the two or three years following, 
Captain John Mason, the life of the Laconia Com- 
pany, sent over planters, stewards, servants, etc., to 
the number of about forty, who, besides settling at 
Newichewannock (Berwick Falls) up the river, occu- 
pied the land at Great Island (Newcastle) and at 
Strawberry Bank (Portsmouth), as well as the stone 
house at Little Harbor. Mason's death in 1635, led 
to a disintegration of the colony, as a private enter- 
prise under one head. Somewhere between 1635 and 



VIII Introduction 

1640, the inhabitants, feeling the need of an organ- 
ized government, entered into a "Combination," or 
mutual agreement for local purposes to govern them- 
selves. The original document, doubtless signed by 
all the planters, was preserved as late as 1680, 
though not known now to exist. Perhaps it is not 
too much to hope that a copy of it may yet be 
brought to light among the State Papers in London, 
or from some other source. 

The earliest public act found of record in the 
town books is the grant of the glebe in May, 1640. 
Belknap prints the names of the signers, while 
Adams in his Annals of Portsmouth (1825) gives 
the instrument in full. It was not copied into the 
record until February, 1664, when the selectmen 
finding the original on file, "nearly worn in pieces 
by passing through many hands," ordered that it 
be transcribed, "soe it may be preserved and kept 
to posteritie." 

A matter of pure conjecture, I am disposed upon 
the whole to believe that about 1640 (though it may 
have been as early even as 1635) they began to 
keej) a town record. There are instances prior to 
1040, where Mason's stewards executed leases to 
tenants for a long term of years, but they do not 



Introduction ix 

appear to be have been made a subject of record. 
The earliest recorded grant is found among the 
court records at Exeter, bearing date 20 January, 
1643, a lease by Thomas Wannerton, for the Pat- 
tentees, to Roger Knight, of a piece of marsh in 
consideration of his faithful services and for one 
shilling yearly, if demanded. The court records 
begin in 1640, just before Massachusetts assumed 
jurisdiction over the Pascataqua. 

Whenever the custom may have sprung iip to 
enter of record private grants (which, it is well 
known, was not done in England) we may feel sure 
that as soon as the planters came together, and 
made public grants of land, or special privileges, to 
individuals, they adopted the plan of entering the 
grant in some public record. In vain, however, do 
we look in the town books for any but the scantiest 
memorial of what was done here before 1651 or 1652. 
Nor is it hard to find the reason. We may read it in 
the following entry : 

"January the 13th 1652. At the housof geordge walton. This 

night the Selectmen exsamened the ould Town Booke and 

what was not aproued was crossed out, and what was aproued 

was left to bee Recorded in this Booke and to be confermed 

by the present Selectmen." 
2h 



X Introduction 

After the town officials had thus deliberately muti- 
lated the records, Renald Fernald (himself one of 
the Selectmen) began a new book, that which has 
come down to us, and is referred to in the above 
extract as "this Booke." He seems to have inserted 
here and there entries copied out of the old book, 
as suited convenience, a method that sets at defiance 
chronological order, and lends to the opening j)ages 
a look of irregularity. 

That this extraordinary procedure on the part of 
the Selectmen deprives us of many details of the 
early settlement, which, could they be restored, 
would prove interesting and valuable, does not ad- 
mit of a doubt. The examiners spared but little. 
Four lines from the record of a town meeting in 
August, 1645 (a faint ray of light out of the dark- 
ness), comprise the earliest entry, and all that 
marks that year. For the year following two very 
brief fragments alone survive, while nothing what- 
ever is left to us of the date of 1647. In a note, to 
be found in the Appendix, I have pursued the sub- 
ject, and made an attempt to ascertain what could 
have prompted the work of spoliation, and what 
was the probable character of the missing entries. 



Introduction xi 

It has been my aim to present the record as it is; 
and I have tried to adhere to the spelling and 
punctuation as closely as possible. Where a signa- 
ture is an original, it is printed in small capitals. 
In some instances I have ventured to supply a word 
that is missing (generally at the end of a line, where 
the leaf is torn or worn out), but this applies to 
cases only where the right word plainly suggests 
itself. 

Obliged as I am to confine the copying to a few 
pages, I have selected the first thirty-five, extend- 
ing to 1656. To this is added a list, recorded 
a little later on, of those inhabitants who subscribed 
from 1658 to 1666, to maintain Mr. Joshua Moodey, 
the minister. I have also copied from the records 
of the First (North) Parish the names of rate pay- 
ers in 1711, the date when two meeting houses had 
become needful. Such lists are prized by the genea- 
logist, and I am led to find room for them because, 
so far as I know, they are now for the first time 
printed. 

To Doctor Charles Deane, and to the Honorable 
Charles H. Bell, of Exeter, each eminent in his 
knowledge of early New England history, I owe 
much for wise and friendly suggestions. My thanks 



XII Introduction 

are due Mercer Goodricli, Esquire, the present city 
clerk, for facilities extended to me in consulting 
the records under his charge. It gives me pleasure 
also to mention the Honorable Marcellus Bufford, 
and Samuel P. Treadwell, Esquire, gentlemen whose 
long and intelligent acquaintance with town affairs 
has enabled them readily to put me in possession of 
facts, that I could hardly have got elsewhere. 
October, 1886. 



PORTSMOUTH RECORDS 



At a Toune meeting hild the 5th of Aprill i6[52] . . It is 

ordered that the Towns men chosen for this Mr Briant 

Pendilton. John Pickringe. Renald Fernald. Henry Sherborn : 
& James Johnson, shall haue full Power to... and lay 
out, land acordinge as they thinke Beste for the conueninsy of 
the Toune : And wee do fully agree, that theas befor named 
Towns men shall have full power, to order all our Towne 
affaj^rs. as though our selues the wholl Towne wear Presente. 
vide. To calle into question or ffine anny mane in cace of 
... or any breach of order : And to make all such Ratts 
.... shall be nessisary for Publiqu Chargis whether minister 
or other. And also that it shall be w[ithin the] Power of 
the select men, to call the Town together [to con] suit about 
any nessisary affaiers, for the wellfar[e of the] Towne: giuinge 
LawfuU warninge ... of a paper three days befor, upon the 
meetinge . . . And also that thear be two Publique meetings in 
. . . And more, if ocation bee. at any Publique [meeting] the 
Power, Remains to the wholl Towne : In [witness] whearof 
wee the Inhabitants doe hearunto . . . And that the Summons 
was Lawfull for .... day for our Publique meetinge 

William. Seavie Anthony. Bracket 

Roger. Knight francis. Trike 

Ellixander. Bachiller George. Walton 

Ollivere Trimings John. Jackson 

Robert. Mussell John Sherburn 

William. Brookin Thomas. Peverlly 

Robert. Davis William, frethy 

Walter. Abbite Robert. Pudington 

Francis. Rand Thomas Walford 

Thaddeus. Riddan Richard Cut [2] 

John. Jones 



14 Portsmouth Records 

A cppy of an order of the Court hild at Boston th. yth mon 
1643. 

Whearas it apeareth to this Court that the commishoners 
apoynted to lay out the Bounds between Douer and Strawbery 
Bank Did not consider the sayd Strawbery Banke, as a Towne, 
nor so exactly veued the land on that side the Riuer, as was 
needfull and thear upon layd out certine lands to Douer which 
was most conuenient, for Strawbery Banke, and certine lands 
for Strawbery Banke whis is most conuenient, for Douer, 
so acknowliged to be by on of the sayd commishoners in this 
present court : It is thear fore finally ordered, that all the 
marsh and medow ground lyinge against the great Bay, on 
Strawbery Banke side shall belonge to the Town of Douer to- 
gether with 400 ackers of upland ground adioyninge, and lyinge 
near to the said medow to be layed out in such a forme, as may 
be most conuenient for the improuinge and fencinge in of the 
sayd medow : The Remainder [of] the sayd ground to be- 
longe to Strawbery Banke. Reseruinge the [due] right to 
eaury on, that hath properieties in the same. 

Subscribed Incrase. Nowell Secritary [3] 

At a Toune metinge hild at Strawbery Banke the : 4 : of 
March : 1646. 

It was granted that John Sherborn should haue a hous [lot] 
And apourtenancis. belonging thear unto, at the head of ... . 
betwene William Sevy and Henry Sherborn : 

At a metinge the : 20 of May : 165 1. 

This day John Sherborn is granted hime three ackers of . . . 
at the Sandy Beach : which is not yeat apropriated if ... . thear 
to be had 

At a generall toune meetinge the . 7 . of aprell : 165 1 
It is granted that John Pickringe shall have ... of marsh, in 
case he can find any voyd not yeat .... or mad youse of by 

any of the said inhabitants : of the said marsh thought 

to lie voyd before the me .... house which John Pickring 
haue promised to fence 

At a meeting hild the : 11 : of August : 1651 

It was granted this day by the common consent .... Allix- 
sander Bachelor shall haue a lotte- upon called pom- 



Portsmouth Records 15 

fres poynt : so that he hinder not any .... of former priuihdge 
of landing upon the g[reat Island] 

At a meeting hild the . 25 . of August : 1645 : 

It also granted this present day that the Illand . . called 
Clamperinge Illand, shall wholly belong [unto] Thomas Wil- 
liams with all its aportenancies as ... . and marsh. & 

At a meeting hild the August the : 15 : 1646 : 

it is granted Renald ffernald is to haue fouer [acres] of 
marsh at the great house, which marsh lieth .... gutter on the 
south olliuer trimings .... he ... . north, goodman Bartton on 
the east ; and also h[ave] fouer acers of marsh more at the 
fresh .... be both marked out at this present 

At a meeting hild the : lo : of Jully : 1648 

this day in presence of the town William B[erry hath] giuene 
unto Anthony Ellins : possession of his .... house and eaight 

ackers of land lyinge said house and also all his right 

and tit[le at] the date hereof in the fresh [marsh] 

Renald [Fernald] [4] 

[At a meeti]ng held . . . Day of . . . 1648 

It is likewise granted this day that Henry Sherborn may 
mow in the fresh marsh that lyeth beyound william Sevys west- 
ward about 2 mills, not befor mowed he is to have twentie 
Ackers of the sayd marshe. 

At a meettinge hild the : 7 : of aprell : 165 1 

It is granted this towne meetinge that mr Ambrose Lanne 
or his assignes shall haue free libertie to fall any timber lieinge 
in common, for the uese of his mills in Sagamor Creke : and to 
lett any perticuler man in the limmits of Straberry banke towne. 
to haue boards on shilling in a hundred ffoot cheapper than 
the prise that he selleth unto others, prouided that it be for 
their own particuler ues : except building of ships and barks, 
or boats, thay are to pay the prise curante. 

[5] 

At a Towne meetinge hild the : 20 : of may : 165 1 

It is granted this Towne meeting : that John : webster shall 

haue, the huse sould by Jaffry. Ragge : to Roger knight on the 

great Illand. and likewise eaight ackers of land near ajoyninge, 



16 Portsmouth Records 

to be laied by the Touns men. fower Rods at the watter side 
and the Rest to goe bake : 

At a Towne meetinge hild the : 7 : of JuUy : 165 1 : 

1 It is agred on at this Town meetinge that whearas thear 
hath bine a foot path usually made viz : ouer John pickrins 
grounds from ouer his mill dame, and from thence allonge by 
the mill path unto his next path and so derecte as conuenien . . , 
may towards the present meetinge house : to [be] continued for 
the more ease of the Inhabitants and others that shall have oca- 
sion to trauill that waye at all time and times : hereafter with- 
out leave of the sayd John pickringe. ore any man ells to be 
continued for euer. 

2 It is likewise agreed one this Toune meetinge that Jerimy 
walford shall haue twenty acres of land lienge near his house 
one the great Illand and one the easter side of the sayd house 

At a meeting hild the 11 : of August : 51 

It was granted unto mr Pindelton in the behalfe of mr wil- 
liam. Paine, a parsill of land for a husse and gard . . between the 
ould docters feilde and the poynt upon the east sid of the coue 
next below wottons necke [7] 

Aprill the 5th 1652 

1 It is ordered this day that all grants formerly granted and 
Rec[orded] although thay be not signed by the Towns men, 
neuer the lesse the s[aid] grants and possessions shall bee of 
force : and the present Towns men shall haue power to con- 
ferme what shall bee proued to be grants : so that it be no 
mans former properite 

2 It is granted this day that mr Richard Cut is to haue a 
Lotte between the fresh marsh creke and the next freshet be- 
low the fall, and so upward toward his marsh, all which is to 
be layed out. at the present Towns mens discression for a 
ffarme 

3 It is ordered this day that francis Trike is to clear his 
hous of goodman greene, and his wiffe, and children, in a 
munths time, and for euery day that the .sayd francis Trike, 
shall entertayn them aboue the sayd time, he is to pay twenty 
shillings 

signed mr Brian. Pendelton Renald. Fernald Henry. Sherburn 
John. Pickringe James. Johnsone 



Portsmouth Records 17 

At a meetinge hild the 3 of may 1652 

... It is ordered that the greate lUand, shall bee left . . . 
mon espesially the land by the watter side. To each Lott be 
granted, thay shall note exsed on Acer of Land : ... as haue 
bine former planters, at the Touns disposinge 

2 It is ordered this day that each Inhabitant of this Towne 
[provide himself] with arms, mett for a foot company : within 
the space [of one month] after the Date hearof vid. by the 
third of June next . th . . . for our defense if ned Requier 

Signed by mr Brian [Pendelton] Renal[d Fernald] Henr[y 
Sherburn] John [Pickering] James [Johnson.] [8] 

At a toune meetinge hild the 14th aprill 1650 
It is ordered this town mettinge that euery ordnery keeper 
in this town shall pay for euery pipe of wine thay drawe shall 
pay to the town twenty shillings — this is a trew copy out of 
the ould booke 

At a Town meetinge at Strawbery banke the 15th of August: 
1646: 

It is ordered that John Pickringe shall haue fower Ackers of 
marsh in the fresh marsh, which fower Ackers liethe at the en- 
tery of the marsh, upon the south side of the Creeke as it is 
marked out : & also fouer of salt marsh at the great house 
ajoininge to the great paund on the south sid. and next to 
James Johnson on the east side and Anthony brakit on the 
west : 

Signed by : John. Renals ^ 

John. Crouther > Taken out of the ould Booke 
& William. Berry ) 

Att a Towne meetinge hild the tenth day of Jully 1648 
Whearas thear was, by a former acte of the Town granted 
unto the parssonage house, the full tenth parte of the fresh 
[ma]rsh, with upland to belonge thearunto, and as yeat, the 
tenth [parte] cannot be knowne ; by Reson it is not yeat mes- 
sured nor [laid] out ; wee whos names are under wrighten do 
assign unto [the par]ssonnage house : fower ackers of the be- 
fore named fresh [marsh] next westward of the marsh of mr : 
francis williames .... in his time hee mowed : and upon the 
south sid of [the fre]shet or brooke : the which marsh was 
neuer mowed .... in wittnes whearof wee do hear unto sett our 
hands. 
3h 



18 Portsmouth Records 

Signed by — Renald Fernald William Seauy Robert Puding- 
ton 

Taken out of the ould booke May (: 52 [George Wa]lton is 

granted six ackers of lande within on disorderly closed 

in upon the great Illand ackers is to be taken upon the 

south side e foot pathe : this was granted at the great 

Hand 

Brian. Pendlton Jams. Johnson John, pickring Renald. Fer- 
nald [9] 

At a generall mettinge hild the 17th of May 1652 

1 mr Ambrose Lanne and James Johnson, are chosen Com- 
mishoners [unto] the next Courte at boston for an anser unto 
the petitione made in October 165 1. and to atend any other oca- 
tion at the nexte generall courte that is nedful for the Toune 
acordinge unto thear Commishon 

2 The Commishoners are desired to presente unto the next 
Courte. mr Richard Leader, mr Ambros Lane and mr Pendil- 
ton to be confermed asosiats hear at Strabery Banke 

3 It is also desired that mr Thomas Bellingum may be pre- 
sedent at this Courte at Strabery Banke 

4 It is farther ordered that the sellect men haue power to 
Draw the commishone 

5 mr Briant Pendillton is chosen this day commander of the 
Trayn Band 

6 mr Theados Riddan is chosen clarke of the courte 

7 It is granted this day that Ellixsander Bacheller is to 
keepe the ferry, from the great Illand, unto the Randavow. or 
the great house to reseve for each singell persone, fouer pence 
to the great house — and from goodman sherborns poynt, unto 
strabery banke, six pence the man ; and two pence the man 
from the great Illand unto goodman [Sher]borns poynt 

mr Brian Pendilton Henry Sherburne Renald Fernald James 
Johnson 

At a meeting hild the tenth of August, 1652 

1 It is ordered that John pickringe and henry Sherb[orn 
go] up unto Doner with george walton to acoumpt with [them] 

about the Differense betwin us and the Inhabitants 

court charges 

2 It is ordered that thare shall bee a Rate made .... for 
the towns youse 



Portsmouth Records 19 

3 . . . goodman Sherborn is chosen tresuerer for this 
year to be accountabull unto the sellect men on ... . 

4 It is ordered that mr Briant Pendilton and J . . . are 
apoynted to vvright a letter unto .... respect of an anser of 
the gener[al court] [lO] 

5 . . . . goodman pickringe : and goodman Sherburn haue 
power for to take an accoumpt of the late tresseuerer, william 
sevey and to call in all former Rates 

Renald Fernald Henry Sherburn Brian Pendilton John 
Pickringe James Johnson 

At a towne meetinge hild the 13th of September 1652 

1 It is ordered that from hence forth all lisensed persons 
shall giue a juste accoumpt of what wine they .shall take into 
ther house for sayll within three dayes after the Reset of the 
same, the which acoumpt is to be giuen unto the Towne 
Tresurer; mr Henry Sherborne, upon forfiture of such wines 
as shall be neglected, for frensh wines the Ratte is fiue shilling 
the hhead, and for all other wines ten shillings the hhead and 
for all other smaller caske porporshanabuly 

2 It is granted unto Joseph Pendilton on full acer of Land 
upon the great Illand by the common consent 

3 It is granted unto georg walton upon the great Illand on 
acer of Land neare unto his house at the discretion of the 
Towne men to be layed out 

4 george walton hath agreed with the Towne this day for 
all the wine he hath Draune befor this day, and is to pay un- 
to the Towne the full sume of six pounds. 

[5] John Webster hathe agreed with the Towne for all the 
wine he hath drawne befor this day, and is to pay fifty shillings 

Brian Pendilton Renald Fernald John Pickring Henry Sher- 
burn 

[II] 
At a meeting hild the 7th of Desember 1652 

1 Henry Sherborn and Renald ffernald are sworn commis- 
honers for the yeare 

2 It is ordered that upon teusday next thear is a Courte 
keept by the commishoners at strabery banke, for the ending 
of small causes 

3 It is further ordered that the commishoners haue agreed 
to take a list of the visabull estates of the inhabitants of Stra- 
bery Banke by teusday next, being the 14th. of this present, 
so that a Rate may be made, and forthwith levied of 30 L for 
publick chargis 



20 



Portsmouth Records 



4 It is ordered that george walton is to take Doune and Re- 
moue his fense which he disorderly set up, and to compound 
with the Right ouners of the marsh, which he inclosed, as be- 
for is sayd whether it be Thomas walford or Elixsander Jones 
is . . 

5 It is granted unto Richard Seward : a lott upon the 
norther sid of Strabery Banke creek ouer against mr Campions 
hous: and between the two freshits westward: so that he build 
thear up . . within on year after this grante 



At a meetinge the. 13th of January 1652 

I It is granted that each Inhabitant is to haue out Lotts of 



acuruiiig uiiLu liic uiuci uii 

acers 


UCl WllgllLCll 

acers 


unto mr Briant Pendilton 


30 


Henry. Sherborn 5 




mr Richard. Cut 


45 


William. Sevy 5 




mr Leaders houss 


45 


William. Berry 3 




Richard, Commons 


45 


Thomas. Sevy i 




for Ro. Kn. Arcullus humpkins 


50 


OUyuer. Trimings i 




Walter. Abbit 


30 


James. Johnsone 4 




William. Cotton 


20 


Allixsande. Bachelor . 




John. Jackson 


10 


Jerrimy. walford 




William. Hame 


50 


Francis. Trikee 




Edward. Barton 


20 


George. Walton 




Nicholis. Row 


50 


Rober. Mussell 




John. IMoysis 


15 


John. Wotton 




mr Ambros. Lane 


25 


John. Pickringe 




William. Brookins 


10 


John. Jones for fr 




Thomas Walford 


50 


John Hart [?] 




Thomas Beverly 


20 


[12 


] 


John. Sherborne 


30 






Antony EUins 


25 


Captin Champernon 5 





Renald ffernald 


50 


Antony Brakite 3 







15 


Richard Seward i 





Robert. Pudington 


10 


mr Masons house i 


5 


goodman Chaterton house 


; 10 


mr Campions house i 





henry Becke 


10 


Joseph Pendilton i 





William Euins 


10 


granted unto Mr. Richar 


d 



Cut tene ackers in the fresh 
marsh if it be thear to be 
had. not hindring John 
Pickrings grant 



Portsmouth Records 21 

2 It is granted unto mr Richard Commins ten trees and un- 
to William Cotton ten trees 

January the 13th. 1652 At the hous of geordge walton 

This night the select men exsamened the ould Town Booke 
and what was not aproued, was crossed out, and what was 
aproued, was left to bee Recorded in this Booke and to be 
confermed by the present select men 

Signed by mr Brian Pendelton henry, sherburn Renald. Fer- 
nald John. Pickringe James. Johnson 

it was granted unto georg walton : 30 : foot of land at the 
watter sid for the buildinge a store house upon the caster side 
of the grauilly coue next his house, so that it be not upon 
another mans former Righte 

Att a Towne meettinge held ye 28th of (9) 1653 

That wher as ther was an order made at a towne meetinge 
the 13th of 7ber 1652 that all Licensed psons within this towne 
should Bring in an acco : of what wine they shall tacke into 
draw within three dayes after itt be recaued by them, on for- 
fiture of sd: wines & also pay for the drawinge of all such wines 
to the tresurer for the towne's use, as is expressed in ye afore 
sd. order: that is to say for all frensh wines, fiue shillings p 
hodghead, & all sorts of sacke at tenn shillings p hodghead ; & 
for all other vessell biger or leser pportionally 

Wee the psent select men of the towne doe conferme the 
aboue sd order for the use & good of the towne 

Brian Pendleton Richard Cut Renald Fernald John 
Sherburne [13] 

At a generall meettinge hild the 14th of march i[652] 
It is generally agreed that theas men under named a . . 
chosen Towns men for this present year inseuinge. vidillis mr 
Brian Pendelton : mr Richard Cut : Samuiell Hains. Renald 
ffernald & John Sherborn : and haue granted unto them the same 
power that was granted the year past: further it is agreed up- 
on that the magor part of the sayd sellect mens acte: shall 
stand: witnes our hands 

Henry. Sherburn Richard. Tucker James. Johnson William. 
Euins Anthony. Brakit Ellixsander. Bachiller Thomas. Sevy 
William. Berry francis. Rand francis. Trickee Robert. Puding- 
ton William C'otton Walter. Abbit Richard Commins Thomas 
Peuerly Oliver Trimings 



22 Portsmouth Records 

granted unto Olliver Trimmings ten trees for making of 
pipstaves 

1 It is generally agreed upon that euery wolfe that hereafter 
shall be killed in this Towne : the partie shall have twenty 
shillings of the Town stocke 

2 It is ordered that thear shall be a Court keept, for the 
ending of small causes : upon the 28th of this present month 

3 Renald ffernald it this day chosen for to keep the Towne 
Booke, and to haue for his paines. twenty shillings for the year 
and for all coppeis he shall be paied by whom shall Imploy 
hime 

4 It is farther granted by the commone consent : that mr 
Richard Cutt Renald ffernald and John Sherborn are to go to 
morow, or the next fair day : unto the fresh marsh alr[eady] 
granted : unto John pickringe : and unto mr Richard C[utt] 
vidi. to each of them ten acers : and the Rest to be Di . . . . 
to : William Cotton : Walter abbit : franscis Rands : John 
[Jones] to whom shall bee thought fitt by them, and Recordid 
seuerall lotts shall be laied out 

5 It is also agreed upon that mr Brian Pendilton is made 
... for our Depeiity unto the next generall courte a . . shipe 
and to have power granted unto him . . . under the Consta- 
buls hand. [14] 

6 It is lickwise agreed upon that mr Briane Pendilton : mr 
Richard Cutte, and Renald ffernald : are Requested to confer 
with our naybors of Douer and kittree about sendinge unto 
the generall courte ai:)out forttifyinge the Riuer for our defence 

7 It was farther ordered that Robert Pudington : with : 
Philipe Lewus : or sum other is to serch out the nearist part, to 
cut out a hey way. to meet that that our naybors of hamptone 
haue made 

8 The aboue named Touns men are at the next fitt time to 
lay out the land unto the peopell of the Sandy beach vid. unto 
William Berry. Anthony Brakit. Thomas Sevy franci.s Rand 
and James Johnson 

1653 Toune meetinge . 5th (10) 

At a publicke Townmettinge hild the 5th of Desember 1653 

1 It is generally agreed upon that from hensforth the min- 
isters wagis shall be paied, by way of Ratt of the visabull estats: 
the Invoys shall be taken within two months after the dat 
hearof 

2 It is farther ordered yt the plains shall be laied out at the 
first opertunitie by theas men under named vid. mr Richard 



Portsmouth Records 



23 



Cut: Renald Fernald : Thomas Walford and : William Cotton: 
and what theas men shall doe in this matter acording unto 
thear best skille. shall not herafter be questioned but shall 
.stttnd ferm and good 

3 It is generally agreed and grantd unto Robert Puding- 
ton, yt he shall haue on hundred ackers of land ajoyning unto 
his house : leaving a hey way ; conuenent for cattell to goe to 
feed in : the which land shall be meseured by the befor named 
men at the next conuenent time 

4 It is granted unto Walter neall a lot of eaight ackers to 
his house upon the neck of land by winacont Riuer commonly 
called John heards necke. 

Brian Pendleton Rich Cutt Renald Fernald 

[5] It was farther ordered that the plains next unto goodman 
pudingtons should be laied out acordinge to the form follow- 
inge, the first squardron. is to begine at the southeaste corner 
of the sayd plaine and soe to take the cours of the sune leauing 
a hey way betwen the fower [squajdrons, to Rune diu north- 
weste and southeaste [15] 



The first squadron by lott 
the first is 



acers 
10 

16/3 
10 

10 

en 



1. John. Sherborn 

2. William. Hame 

3. mr Pendilton 

4. William sevy 

5. Anthony Brakit 

6. Jerimiha. Walford 

7. John Jackson 
The second squadron is 

1. Thomas Walford . . 

2. Richard. Sayward 3^ 

3. Richard. Commins 15 

4. James. Johnson 15 

5. Anthony. Ellins 8^ 

6. Alix : Bacheller 3^ 

7. Edward Barton 6^ 

8. John. Webster 5 

9. Rendald. ffernald 16^ 
10. John, moysis 5 



The third squadron, begin 
at the norther co[rner] of the 
sayd plaine and to con[tinue] 
easterly 



1. William. Brockins 

2. Henry. Sherborn 

3. George. Walton 

4. Thomas. Sevy 

5. Thomas. Peuerlly 

6. Roberte. Mastell 

7 harculis. humpkins 
8. William. Cotton 



acers 

5 

3/3 

3/3 

1654 

6^/3 



9. Captin. Champernon 16^^ 

3/3 

13 M 



10. francis Trikee 

11. John. Jones 
The fourth squadron 

1. Walter Abbit 10 

2. Olliuer. Triminges 3^ 

3. mr Leadder 15 

4. William Berry iq 



24 Portsmouth Records 

acers 

upon the souther sid of the 5. mr Ambris Lann 8^ 

hey way 6. John Humpkins 3^ 

7 mr massons hous 5 

8. John Wotton 6yi 

9. NichoUs Row 16^ 

10. John Pickring 16^ 

11. the widow mansfield 3[^?] 

6 Whearas thear was formerly granted unto, mr Richard 
Cut ; a lote to extend from his marsh, lyinge at the easter 
corner of the fresh marsh ; unto the next freshet, bellow the 
fall, not spesefiing what quantity it should bee, it is this day 
granted : that the sayd Lott shall amounte unto on hundred 
acers ; and to take its begining from the easter eand of the 
sayd fresh marsh ; from the alders upon the souther sid of the 
brooke, and to extend from the sayd alders ; east and by 
north, unto a littell guter between the fall, and the common 
landing at the cart path, upon the norther, sid of the sayd 
path, and from the poynte ouer againste the said guter, to ex- 
tend along the norther sid of the creeke. 55, poll unto a littell 
guter. freshitt below the fall : between the befor named east 
eand of the fresh marsh, and guter. mr Richard Cut to leave 
a hey way for catell ouer the brooke . . former ffeeding, up on 
the north side ; the sayd [way] is to be left six poll broud if 
need Requier 

[16] 

This day it is aproued of by the toune that what was don 
by mr Richard Cut, Renald ffernald and John Sherborn towns 
men about laying out lotts in the fresh marsh unto John Pick- 
ringe. mr Richard Cutt. william Cotton. Walter Abbit Renald 
ffernald. francis Rand. & John Jones & the Rest yt wear laid 
out acording unto the form following in march the. 15th. 1653 

1 goodman hams marsh doth extend from the freshit upon 
the easter sid of the parsonage marsh easterly full thirty ])oll 
up unto the wood side — to the northward two and twenty poll, 
and from the wood sid southward thirty poll, aii it is marked : 
so that his lott is 30. poll deepe & 22 poll broud 

2 John Pickrings lott doth extend from william hames north- 
ward fiufty fine poll, acording unto the bredth of goodman 
hams, and thirty poll easterly and westerly as it is laied out 
and marked. 



Portsmouth Records 25 

3 mr Richard Cuts his lote of medow Doth begine next nor 
weste of the parsonage lott upon the nor westen sid of the 
broouke thirty polls from the woodesside along the saied 
broouke eastward short of a litell. hill of birchen trees and 
from thence it doth extend northward fiuty fiue polls and at 
fiiuty polls eand thirty polls to the wood westerly as it is laied 
out and marked 

4 William Cottons lott doth begine : from mr Richard Cuts 
east by north corner of his lott, and doth extend towards good- 
man pickrings west by south corner, ten poll and at ten polls 
bredth it doth extend north ward as mr Cuts doth upon the 
said northerly line untell it com unto the upland or woodsside 
bearing the said bredth lo poll 

[5] waiter Abbits lott doth extend upon the same line from 
mr Cuts, unto John pickrings ward eaight polls, and north- 
ward as William Cotton doth untell it com up unto the upland 
or woodside bearing eaight polls bredth 

[6] Renald ffernalds lot is next unto waiter Abbits six polls 
easterly and to cary the same bredth unto [th]e norther extenth 
to the upland as waiter Abbit and [Wiljliam Cotton doe 

[17] 

7 francis Rands or John humpkins lot doth extend to the 

eastward as Renald Fernald doth, fouer poll and caryeth the 
same bredth to the norther upland as the befor named william 
Cotton and waiter Abbit do. 

8 John Jones doth head upon the same line easterly fouer 
polls, and doth cary the same bredth northward to the woods 
sid. vid. 4 polls unto the upland as william Cotton, waiter Ab- 
bit Renald ffernald and ffrancis Rand doe 

9 John Webster is to haue the marsh that liethe betwin 
goodman hames lott and the parssonage lott the which is com- 
passed with a gutter next unto goodman hames and the brouk 
next unto the parssonage, and upon the norther sid, the heads 
of william Cotton, Walter abbits, Renald ffernald, ffrancis Rand 
and John Jones is. lotts do begin and extend northerly as is 
before saied. 

ID The persons befor named except John pickring wer all 
present at the time at meseuring the sayd lotts, and wear there- 
with contented. 

march the 17th 1653. thear was granted at the Sandy Beach 
vid : unto James Johnson of medow 20. ackers unto OUiuer 
Trimmings 04. ackers unto Thomas Sevy of medow 08. ackers 
4h 



26 Portsmouth Records 

and upland 08. ackers unto William Berry of medow unto his 
ould hous that is by william Sevys 06. ackers unto Anthony 
Brakit upland 30. ackers adjoyninge unto his hous. and of 
medow 20 ackers mor unto William Berry from the littell creek 
next unto Goodman Brakits so much as sh[all] amount unto 
ten ackers of medow bet[ween] the sayd creke and the creeks 
mouth upon the south sid thearof, and 4 ackers of . . whear he 
hath alredy ploued upon the north sid of the creeke, mor up- 
land to ajoyn u[nto] his house upon the necke 26, ackers 

unto francis Rands, medow. 08. ackers [and] upland 20 ackers 
for a lotte. 

at the fresh medow aboue goodman Sevys was also [granted] 
this day march the 17th 1653 unto Henry Sherborn of medow 
16 ackers 

after at an other meetting was grant[ed] 4 ackers ajoyning 
unto the sayd. 16. 

unto John Sherborn in the sayd medow granted 12 ackers 

At the sand beach granted unto John Sherborn grant, the. 
20. of May. 165 1 three ack[ers] 

[18] 

When the lots befor named at the Sandy Beach granted be- 
ing laied out. the ouer plus is to be Distribeuted unto waiter, 
abbit. william. Cotton, nicholis. Row John. Jackson and Robert 
mustell. 3 acers apese if it be thear to be had 

Thease lands before specified both upland & medow beinge 
layd out & the plaine not yet layde oute : wee hose names are 
underwritten doe thise. 30. of January 1653 Confirme 

Brian Pendleton Richard Cut Renald Fernald John 
Sherbuern 

At a towne meeting hild the 30. of January 1653 

1 It is ordered that mr Pendelton and John Sherborn are to 
take a not of the visabull estats of the Inhabitants blow — and 
mr Richard Cut and Renald ffernald are to take nottis of the 
stats of the Inhabitants aboue the which is to be don by the 
midell of the next month 

2 It is granted unto : nicholis Row: that he may mow in the 
fresh marsh ajouning unto the plains, whear goodman Walford 
and goodman Pudington and thomas peuerly haue formerly 
mowed prouided he do not mow what was formerly cleared by 
them the said marsh is to be laid out at the next opertunity 



Portsmouth Records 27 

[3] It is farther granted that : harcullus Humpkins : is to 
have a lott in the fresh marsh creeke next unto : mr Richard 
Cut : upon the south sid of the said creeke, and upon the west 
side of the hey way from the meettinge house, the which lott is 
to be three ackers into the three ackers the poynt next west is 
to bee incleuded. 

[4] It is granted unto : mr John Cut : a lott next unto : 
harcullus humpkins : westward from the said poynt. up unto 
the next fresh gutter upon the said side the sayd two lotts. are 
to extend from the creek sid backe unto the hey way : which 
is to be laied out at the next conuenent time by : mr Richard 
Cut : harckulus humpkins : John Webster : and Renald ffer- 
nald. 

[5] It is farther granted unto mr John Cutt in the fresh 
marsh or whear he can find it, not yeat mad yous of ten 
ackers of medow 

[6 It] is granted unto Renald ffurnald in the said fresh marsh 
creek [upo]n the poynt next west of goodman Seward, twelve 
ackers of land. 

Brian Pendleton Richard Cutt Renald Fernald John 
Sherbuerne 

[19] 

At a generall towne mettinge hild the 14th of march 1654 

It is ordered by the common consent that theas men under 
named are apoynted to lay out the hey wave by goodman Pud- 
intons to the plains, vidi. Captin Champernon. John Pickring. 
Samouel hains Renald ffernald 

2 It is ordred by the towne the men whos times are expired 
at this psent haue pouer giuen them to make the Ratte for the 
ministers wagis. the which is to be don by this day sen night. 

3 It is granted unto houbert Mattean, a lott of eaight ackers 
in the fresh marsh creke next eastward of : mr Richard Cute : 
upon the north west sid of the said creke 

Brian Pendleton Richard Cutt Renald Fernald 
Samuel Haines John Sherbuern 

It was & is this day generally agreed upon that the wine 
sellers shall all pay for thear drawinge of wine acordinge unto 
the orders formerly mad. by the seliect men, and the sellect men 
are hearby ordered that they forth with, yous mens for the 
proceuringe of the same, for the yous of the Towne 

At a generall town meeting held the. 27th. of march i6[54] 



28 



Portsmouth Records 



. John l^cV.on^^nGeor,eW.,t«^^^^ B-^der 

:f;r:rrb1te^C^: ™e^^^et/tt\.fa.,n, up Of 

this year insuinge "^^ ^^^^^f^t^^^. ^^^ William Cotton and 
-;^;rautrHUe^;^wer E^;^'&„s .en ha.e ... 

formerly in eauery P»y"' J^"" jlf^^h Renald Fernald in 

trhlbSfl rf th re th^ ifciL keep in] cust.e this Towne 

look and to haue for his pains as formerly was granted ^^^^ 

Tthf to;Vh|\poynted for the ordring ^e sea. ,n^ 

Ttf hf dr:tte";™: d;%e"a'nit,?h''':n exped.sion that 

"""y'"^ A „., that Tames Tohnson. shall acoumpt 

5 it is farther agreed upon that J a™«s J """=" ; . jj,^ ^n 

with the tresurer, and ^^^at wa d,u befo tte day _^^^^^^^ 

half is to be deducted f "f „^J^°™^Xg „"'« '°™" """ 
^olurlnTcouS^t-of w^h^t^he stall tafe in for sayll 

IZXSr^mo. is chosen treseror for th,s year by the 
^RrHArTucKEK W.LUAM X CoT.oNS mark JOHK X P.CK. 
RINGS mark 

, Lis this day the ' 7th : of ApriU 54 : o^^^^^^^^^ 
sented to by the Se eet XVhal^ull power oTue for & re- 
trtrrSteTS' th^t'oirf™^" U-'such men as shall not 

pay the same upon a "'"'"I' 'Jf"';'"'' Richard Cut : John Pick- 
% It is ordered 'his day that^ 'of the "habitants in thear 

•^TSday mr henry sherborn tresurer hath giuen inacoumpt 
"' £'5 ^iris ?:rer o^drSat hensforth thear shall be granted 



Portsmouth Records 29 

l^^^.^^^- ^'^"^- '° -=^- 'h= -™ Shall 

[5] It IS granted unto ffrancis drake : a housse lott unon th^ 

S:;eek;^°^^" '-''''''' '''''' ■ '' ^^^ -o^th of"trf"es'h 

[21] 

do^f r'> '^ f '^''' ''^^"'^ belonging unto the meeting house 
doth take Its begai.ng from the great pine by the sayd house 

whi■h'h"i^^'""'A'""^^^^ •■ ^^°^'^-^ humpkLs^hs hous 

of he savtT^'o" ''r''"^^'."-,^"^ ^°-- P°"' f-- the end 
ot the saved . 30 : polls up the hill : north & by west-full • c6 • 

poll: from the sayd : 56 : polls end, diu east : 46 un o aLked 

pme marked with three nochis. from the said forked one 

south ^ by east full : 44 : polls unto the befor menshoned ^eat 

ni n^f".r^''''' ^""^ '^?'^ ''"^'" •• ^t the north and by east cor- 
ner of the parsonag lott : leaving a way and doth evt^nri 
towards the springe : north & by east : ^a'^oH from he s^S 
22 : pols end towards : mr: Cuts, diu northwest and by nor h- 
15 : poll, unto Mr Cuts his fenc^ : from the sayd end of Mr 
Cuts fence : 64 : polls, and at the sayd : 64 • polls end it doth 
extend dm east as the parsonage land dot1. :^56 poh eavu I 
a way between the parsonage ground & his ^ ^ 

Mr Richard Cutt: his lot doth extend from. John AVebster 
bythewatter sid: to mr Rains his hous: full- 60 poll and 

by we t%7ooir.1.f hJ°'" r""'"''' ^^"-- -""hS-f :; d 
Dy west. 64 poll: as John websters doth to a pin then marked 

th'eTe?h' mar h"'''T^ f '^°" '''' «^^^ nfarked pin n o 
tne tresh marsh creeke: leaving a way be betwixt- Hirrnln^ 

maTh'criek""' "^ ^"'^^' ""^'^ ^°"^ ^-- thf sayd'resh 
m^^^^'^r^^^^:-^' -^ by order of the select 

Atapubliqu Town meetinge hild the: 12: of September- 
1663 granted unto Samuell Hains ten ackers of land at 4e 
so thTt It be n^"' ""'l °."^^ '-^^^""^^^ Captin. Champe?nuns 
book "''°'' '^^ ^'P'"'' land-taken out of the ould 

it was granted unto william urin, a lott upon the nerk nf 
l^meiuTa"" '°''"^" ^^^'^^^"^ ^"^ wUliamroLn'wkh con- 



30 Portsmouth Records 

At a publiqu Town metting hild the : 5th. of June 1654 : 

1 it is granted unto Mathew Hame a lott in the coue next 
unto his father now duelUng house, to be laid out at the next 
convenent time 

2 John Jackson is chosen to be dark of the market by the 
common consent of the towne [22] 

Theas present do witnes that I Robert Pudington doe herby 
acknolidge and confese that I have Rescued from Thomas 
Sevy full satisfaction for all my hous housis and land both in- 
fensed and out of fence which I formerly did Inhabit and 
make yous of : next unto the habitation of William Berry ner 
the litell harbor : & do herby Resign all my Right and titell 
for euer, unto the said Thomas Sevy his hiers & assignis. in 
witnes whear of 1 doe herunto sett my hand this fourth of June 
in the year of our lord, on thousand six hundred & fiuty & fine 
witnes Renald Fernald William Sevy R. P 

the mark of Robert 
a true coppy taken from the originall Pudington 

by me Renald Fernald. [23] 

This presente wrightinge witnesseth that whearas thear is a 
condition fully concleuded, betwene mr Clemment Campion of 
Strabery Banke of the on party : and Roger knight of the sam 
place of the other party: That is to say the said Clemment 
Campion, hath fully and Rally, deliuered into possesion unto 
the sayd Roger knigh. the house housses and lands thearunto 
belonginge. which hath bine in former time the house housses 
of mr francis Raines, and sould unto the sayd clemente by 
ffrancis Raines: so longe as the said Roger and his wiffe anne 
doth Hue or ether of them, and in case thay both die. befor 
the sayd clemente then the said clemment campion is to inioy 
the said place as fully and ampully as beffore the date hearofe: 
and likwise in case the said clemment campion, doth die before 
the said Roger and his wiffe anne. or ether of theme, then the 
said Roger or his wiffe anne. the longest liuer of ether partie 
to possess and inioy the said plantation befor menshoned for 
euer. whearunto wee haue both of us sette our hands the : 23: 
day of desember : 1652 

witnes Clement campion 

ffransis : champernowne the mark R of Roger knight 

Henry sherburne 

a true coppie compared with the originall by mee 

Renald Fernald 



Portsmouth Records 31 

January the : 12: 1652 

know all men by theas psense that I Thomas ffurson and 
Roger Knight are agreed for the Illand befour the house of 
master Clement Campione. which is called by the name of fur- 
[sons] Illand : and 1 Roger Knighte ame to giue unto Thomas 
furson for the before named Illand on whight and bl[ack] 
heffer, and to winter hir, and to giue Thomas ffurson twelue 
shillings. & sixpence the first of Jeun next after the date hearof 

witnes. william Palmer. John webster, the younger 
Thomas furson. John, pickring 
compared with the originall a true coppy by: Renald Fer- 

NALD [24] 

Jane Drake the relict of Wm Berry with ye con .... hus- 
band Nath : Drake for a valeuable consideration where- 
with they are fully satisfied hath giuen up her thirds unto Anto 
EUins of the land her husband Berry sold unto sd Ellens men- 
coned this 6th of December 1670 before me Elias Stileman 

[25] 

At a toune meeting hild at Strabery Bank the last of Jenuary. 
1648 

1 It is granted by the commc^ consent that william Berry 
shall haue a lott upon the neck of land upon the south sid of 
the littell Riuer at the Sandie beach : 

2 It is ordered by the common consent that Robert puding- 
ton is to haue a lott upon the north side of the littell Riuer at 
the Sandie beach : 

3 It was also granted unto Robert Dauis by the common con- 
sent a lotte in Sagomors creeke next poynt west of John 
moysis: 

4 It is likewise granted Edward Bartton that no man shall 
sit doune betwen him and John Crouders: Raylls 

At a metting hild the : 11 : of June : 1649: 

This day Thomas Williams hath Resigned all his Right and 
titell unto Clampering Illand, into the hands of Richard kinge. 
and what marshis the toun befor the dat hearof had granted 
unto hime: 

At a metting hild the : 13 : of Augost : 1649 : 

It was granted by the common consent that Anthony Brakitt 
shall haue a lott betwen Robert Pudington and william Berry, 



32 Portsmouth Records 

at the head of the Sandie beach fresh Riuer at the wester branch 
tharof : 

At a meeting hild the . 22 : of October : 1649 : 
It is acknoliged this day by Thomas walford that hee hath 
freelly giuen all his Right and tittell [which] he hath inioyed 
upon the great Illand unto his sonne Jerimy walford : exepting 
what former[ly he] hath giuen unto allixsander Jones : 

At a generall meeting hild the : 7 of aprell : 165 1 : 

It was granted this meetinge that Anthony Ellins ha[ve] 

giuen unto hime the Illand betwen John wottons and Clamper- 

ing Illand ; 

[27] 

At a Towne meetting hild the : 20 : of October : 1651 : 

It is gennerally agreed upon that John Jons Shall haue 
twenty shillings for the year for making clean the mettinge 
hose 

Be it knowne unto all men by theas presents that I Roger 
knight of Strabery banke . haue granted, bargained & sould 
unto Hirculus Humpkins a plantation lyinge in Strabery banke 
with all Right titells and privilidgis and possessions, that I 
the sayd Roger Knight haue belonginge unto the sayd planta- 
tion, for the sume of three score and ten pounds of good and 
lawfull mony of nine England, ten pound to be paied the 
twentieth day of nouernber, next insuinge the date hearof, and 
ten pounds the : 20th : of the next insuinge Jeune, and twenty 
pounds to be paied the next springe sesone after the date hearof 
which will bee : 1653 : and thirty pound the next Rock, sesone 
after the former date (: 53) and hear unto I haue inter chan- 
gabull put my hand the eaightenth of the seventh month : 
1652 : the mark R of Roger Knight 

witnes Huphry Humber the mark HHof Harculus 

Hum[pkins] 

A triue coppie taken from the originall 

by mee Renald Fernald [29] 

At a publike tour^ meeting hild the : 8th : of March [1655] 

I the Inhabitants haue chosen this day for thear present 

select Towns men & untell others be chosen : vidi ; Thomas 



Portsmouth Records 33 

walford : Anthony. Brakite : William Sevy : Jams Johnson 
John Webster : and theas men aboue named haue the same 
power in eaury poynt as the former towns men had in witnes 
whear of we do hear unto set our hands 

2 It is ordered by the comon consent that theas three men 
under named haue power to make choys of a place to set up a 
house for the minister or ministers youes with all conueninsy 
for euer : vid. John pickringe . Thomas walford, and Robert 
Pudington, and whatsoeuer theas three men shall doe in this 
mater shall be Recordid, and stand firm as the acte of the whoU 
towne for euer and the sayd three men are to signe thear acte 
under thear hands 

3 It is farther granted unto mr Brian Pendilton so much land 
as lieth disused between the ould Docters fild and the water sid 
leauinge fouer polls for a way between goodman mustells fence 
and the sayd land upon the great. lUand 

4 It is farther granted unto hirculus humpkins that he shall 
hau a lott upon the great Illand about forty foot squar to set 
up a stor hous so that it bee not what belongeth to any other 
person 

[5] It is farther ordered that theas three under named hau 
full power to lay out all the land medow formerly granted unto 
the inhabitants vid Thomas walford Robert Pudington & Ren- 
ald ffernald theas lands are to be laid out after the ministers 
land is laid out acording unto the order abou wrighting 

Brian Pendleton Rich Cutt Renald Fernald in the 
behalf of the rest. [30] 

by verue of a Towne grant & order at a publique meetinge 
hild the. 10: of July. (55) wee whos nams are under wrighten 
have mesured as followeth: vid . unto. 

1 waiter Nealle this . 22th of July. 1655: his home Lott 
doth extend from goodman hayins his house due north and 
by east unto winicont Riuer. leauing a way for the Captin 
Champernoune betuene his housses . whear he formerly wente 

2 goodman Hayns his home lotte beinge mesured is on hun- 
dred sixty and one. polls aboute which is by oure estemation. 
tene ackers 

3 Capt. Champernouns Lotte doth extend from the marsh 
within his fence next winicont Riuer: 245: polls suth east, 
and at the end of the sayd line to extend south west the same 
distance: vid; 245 polls, and at the sayd south west lins end 
to extend north west the same distance and so to finish the 

5h 



34 Portsmouth Records 



same square, which is by ouer estimatione the full complement 
granted unto the said Captin. vid. 300: ackers, the Cptin is 
to allowe the waye through the sayd lott to be seuen pols 
wide and to be commone unto his naighbors 

4 goodman drakes lott doth Rune as the captins Lotte doth: 
vid. : 40. poll northeast and south west, and : 24 : polls south 
east and north west : also goodman drake is to haue a small 
parsill of Land at the ester end of the Captins out lotte. to make 
up what is wantinge of his Lotte next unto it. 

5 Seuen polls being lefte for Hampton way next unto good- 
man Drake. Walter Nealls lotte doth extend : 91 : poll square 
acordinge unto the line befor spesified : vid : soyth east and 
north west, and north east & south west: which .91 poll . 
squar is by our estemation his complement of : 50 ; ackers . 
alowed unto him by the towne. 

6 Richard Sawards lote at the mouth of the fresh marsh 
creeke doth begine at the head of the littell creeke next east- 
erly of Renald ffernalds necke of land, ouer against the wester 
poynt of Campions necke and doth extend, north easterly to 
the next freshit so that it doth incompass the Raged necke of 
land and doth finish whear it begane . vid : at the head of the 
said creke next Renald ffernald and the sayd Richard Sawards 
is to satisfie goodman drake for whatt pains he hath been at 
upon the sayd necke 

Confermed by the Selecte men the 20th . of march . 1656 vid 
Thomas, walford william. seavey Anthony : Brackit Jams 
Johnson, & John Webster 

[31] 

At a publique metting hild the eleventh of aprill. 1655 : 

1 It is generally concluded and agreed upon that mr Brian 
Pendilton and John pickring haue full power to meet with the 
peopell of hnipton to confer and agree if they see caus with 
them about the bounds of our towne and also with Douer 

2 Mr Richard Commins is this day chosen suruayer of the 
hey ways 

3 The Inhabitants doe generally acknolidge that they are wil- 
ling that mr Browne Should continue thear minister as he hath 
bin, if he bee so plesed. 

William Seauey Thomas walford James Johnson John 
Webster 

At a publike town meeting hild the . loth. of Jully : 1655 : 



Portsmouth Records 35 

1 It is generally agreed upon and granted unto Captine 
Champernoun. three hundred acers of upland and medow 
ajovning unto his now dwelling house at grenland for a farm, 
and the sayd land is to be bounded out at the first oportunity 
after . what hath bin formerly granted is mesured and Laid out 

2 It is farther granted unto waiter neall for an out Lot fiuty 
acres of Land to be laid out by the Captins Lott so granted 

3 It is granted unto fransis drake a Lott [of acers] to Joyn 
unto waiter nealls out lott near winicont Riuer at the botom of 
the great bay 

4 It is generally agreed upon that theas three men under 
named are to lay out all the lands and medow formerly 
gr[anted] vid . Thomas walford . Richard. Tucker: & Renald 
ffernald and thear Land is first to be mesured that first Doe 
giue satisfaction unto mr Brown for what is his Due befor this 

[33] 

Jully the loth: 1655 

5 It is ordered that mr Brown our minnister is to giu an 
acoumpt of what is his diu from the inhabitants before this day. 
and the Selecet men are to giu order unto the Constabuls to 
make a legall Demand and in case of non pament at the time 
apoynted by the Select men then pouer is to be giuen to the 
Constabuls to Distrain upon the goods of such as shall be slak 
in payment as aforsayd 

William Seavey Thomas. V walford his marke Anthony. 
A Brakit his marke 

At a fozvn meeting hild the : 14th : of August : 1655 

[The words italicised have a line drawn through. The entry is evidently the 
beginning of a record that was not followed up.] 

At a publick Towne metting hild in feberary. 1655 
It is this day granted unto John pickringe that hee shall 
haue the land lying betwen swadens creek and pincombs creek 
in the great bay so that it bee no mans former Right or prop- 
erity. the sayd land is to extend into the swamp and no far- 
ther 

John webster anthony A rraikit his marke thomas M 
WALFORD his marke james I johnson his mark William 
Seavey 

[33J 



36 Portsmouth Records 

Att a Toune meeting hild the : 20 ; of march 1656 

1 It is granted unto Anthony Brkit that hee shall have fifty 
acers of land mor then his former grant to ajoyn unto his hous 
to lye in such a form as it may inclos his marsh — so that it be 
not in any mans former grant 

2 It is ordered that Jams Johnson . William Seuvey and An- 
thony Brakit . shall end the dilTerense between. Edward Barton. 
&. Nicholis Row : conserning ther land in differ [ence] 

3 It is farther ordered thai the sayd men shall have power 
to lay out unto fransis Rand fouer ackers of marsh at the Sandy 
Beach which was formerlv granted unto him . also unto olliuer 
Trimmings foure ackers of marsh at the sayd Sandy Beach 
formerly granted 

4 It is granted unto Thomas walford two ackers of land upon 
the great Illand so that it bee not upon any mans former Right 
or properiety 

5 It is granted that no man shall take mony for ferry age 
from goodman sherborns neck to the great Illand . except 
Allixsand Bacheler. nor Irom goodman Johnson 

6 It is also gr;?nted unto John Webster on acker of land 
upon the great Hand ajoyning unto his last house or frame 
near unto forte poynt in the swampe 

William Seavey Thomas M Walford is mark James F. 
Johnson his mark Anthoni A Brakit his mark John 
Webster 

Wee the Select Towns men of the town of Portsmouth whos 
names are under wrighton. do conferm & grante unto John 
Jackson and his hirs and assignes for euer. the houses and 
land and the Hand which was formerly possesed by John 
Crowder : 

Dated this : 20th. of march : 1656 

a tru coppy by me Renald Fernald 

Signed by . . . william: Sevy John, webster Jams. Johnson 
Thomas, walford Anthony. Brakit [34] 

At a publique Towne mettenge hild the: 27th : 1656 of march 
The Town haue this day chosen for thear sellect men for the 
year insuing and untell others be chosen theas. men whos 
nams are under wrighten. vidilisit Richard Commins. Jams 
Johnson, mr Henry Sherburn Renald Fernald & John Jack- 
son, and wee do farther make choys of nathaniel drak. and 
John Pickringe. and wee whos nams are under wrighten in 
the behalf of the Rest Do giue unto theas men now chosen in 



Portsmouth Records 37 

all poynts the same power which any Towns men hau had be- 
for the Date hear of in witnes whear of wee haue herunto set 
our hands 

John Webster The marke of Thomas M Wallford Wil- 
liam SEUEVY Anthony. A Brakit his mark fran. Champer- 
NOWN William ham George walton John Jones his mark. 
Anthony Ellins francis F D drake his mark Samuel 
Haines Phillip Lewis Jeames L Leach his mark Walter W 
Ahbett his mark Thomas X Seavey his mark mathw H Ham 
his mark Walter Neale 

[35] 

At a meeting hild the 14th of Aprell 1656 
This day mr Sherburn hath promised to entertain mr Brown 
John Webster is this day permitted to keep an ordinary 
It is farther ordered that the visabull estats are to be brought 
in by the first monday in may next and then to make the Rate 
for the year (55) for ministers wagis : wee are to meet at Jams 
Johnsons house 

It is farther granted that mr Richard Cut is to haue two 
hundred ackers of land which he hath purchised by a mor- 
gage from mr Thomas wannertons desesed. prouided that the 
sayd two hundred ackers do not pregidis any former Inhabitant 
in any other grant befor the date hearof 

Renald FernaLd Henrie Sherburne Jams I Johnson 
his mark Nathaniel Drake John Jackson Richard R C 
CoMMES his mark 

At a meetinge hild the : 17th. of May : 1656 
It is this day granted that Captin Champernoune shall haue 
liberty to mak yous of any Timber of pine, within the space of 
on miell of winacont Riuer within the bounds of this Towne so 
that it be for his owne perticuler youse but not to sell the timber 
unsawn unto any and so to leave to the preiedus of him self 
and the Towne 

It is farther granted unto mr Richard Tucker the neck of 
land commonly called musketto hall upon the great Illand so 
that it do not apeer any other mans formor Right, which was 
formorly the land of John wottons and so reputed to bee 
Renald Fernald Henrie Sherburne John. G Pickerings 
mark Nathaniel Drake Richard. R C Commes his mark 
John Jackson James I Johnson his mark 
* *********** 



38 



Portsmouth Records 



[From Page 57.] 

A true transcript of those that subscribed in the years 1658 
1666 to the maintenance of ye Minister 
At a Gen. Towne meeting 14 : 12 mth. 

J no Moses 
Wm Brookin 
James Leach 
ffran Ran 
Ano Brackett 
Walr Neale 
Geo Walton 
ph : Griffin 
Jno Jacksons 
Tho Onyun 
Wm Ham 
Tho : ffurzen 
Tho : Auery 
Wm Morris 
Tho : Hinckson 
Allexsa Batcheler 
Jos : Walker 
Tho : peuerly 
Robt Dauis 
Rich : Jackson 
Jos. Atkins 
Charles Allen 
Jno Jones 
Jno Hall 
Wm Seauy 
Toby Lantjdon 
Edw Barton 
Jno Sargent 
Jno ffoss 
Nathl Drake 
mr Mason 
Tho Wallord 
Hen : Sherburn 
Rich : Cutt 
Jno Sherburn 
Rob : puddington 
ph : Lewis 
Jno Hart 



I 


ffran Drak'e 


16 


I 


Ano. Ellins 


1-06 


ID 


Wm Cotton 


I 


15 


Hen. Beck 


05 


I-I5 


Rich: Abbett 


10 


15 


Leon. Weeks 


10 


2 


Robt Elliot 


15 


10 


Edw Clarke 


10 


1-05 


Jer : Waliord 


06 


I 


Watr Abbett 


15 


I 


Sam' Haynes 


I-IO 


05 


Tho Wedg 


10 


10 


Quince Smith 


10 


ID 


Her. Hunking 


I-IO 


ID 


Jno Hunkiiig 


I 


14 


James Johnson 


2-10 


12 


Mr vail : Hill 


I-IO 


14 


mr Ric. Martin 


2 


10 


Rich. Sloper 


15 


I 


Rogr Knight 


I 


10 


Hen. Sauidg 


I 


10 


Nic. Row 


05 


15 


Ric : Saward senr 


I 


I 


Jno. Webster 


I-IO 


2-10 


Math Ham 


10 


I 


Robt Mattoone 


I 


15 


Jno. Lock 


10 


15 


Edw Melcher 


10 


ID 


Dan : pauU 


I 


I 


mr Eyers 


15 


I 


Bar. Square 


10 


I-IO 


Jno Odiorne 




2 


Jno pickeri ng " 




5 


Rob : Mussell 




I-IO 


Widow ffernald 




5 


Tho : Seauy 




I-IO 


old chanler 




15 


Ric : Saward Junr 





Portsmouth Records 



39 



Jno Cutt 

Capt Bry pendleton 

Rich Comings 

Mr Th : Broughton 

Jno Johnson 



5-10 

5 
2 

2-10 
10 



Allex Jones 
Wm Lux 
Geo Jones 
Jos : Roger 
James Pendleton 



At a Gen Towne Meeting ye 8th march 65 | 66. 

The names of those that subscribed towards mrmody that 
came since ye yeere 58 or did not then subscribe & of such as 
have Lessened wt they then Gaue 



Marke Hunking 
Siibsc in 58 Rich Sloper 
Jno Bruster 
Tho : Dennis 
phil : Benmore 
Edm. Greene 
Rich : Stileman 
Charles Gleeden 
mr Wm Vaughan 
Sub 68 James Johnson 
phi : Nick 
Jos Moss 
Tho Jackson 
Jno Clarke 
Jeff: Curry er 
Jno Kennestone 
Jno Ameiiteene 



10 
08 

I 
06 

I 

13 
I 

2-12 
I 

05 
10 

15 
I 
10 
10 
10 



mr Abra. Corbett 

Mr Rich. Tucker 

Jno partridg 

Sub 58 Jno Sherburne 

Jno pickering Junr 

Jno Kettle 

Wm Earle 

Steuen Grassum 

Jno Marden 

mr Geo. Wallis 

Edw West 

Sub 58 Jno Jackson senr 

Ro. Shores ^ day worke 

mr Nath ffryer 
Dermont Ushr idayes 
Sub 58 Jno Lock 



I-IO 

10 
10 
I 

ID 

10 

ID 

10 

09 

I-IO 

I-IO 

I-IO 

oS 

2-10 

4 



1717. 

{From North Parish Records.) 

List of persons rated to ye old meeting-house 



John Pickering 
William Cotton 
George Walker 
James Lovett 
Ephraim Jackson 
John Preston 



Samll Pitman 
Walter Abbott 
Henry Jaquith 
John Roberts 
p:iiza Pitman 
Robert Bushbee 



40 



Portsmouth Records 



Hugh Banfield 
Henry Beekford 
John packer 
Alexander Miller 
Peter Abbott 
Natha Melcher 
Thomas Barnes 
Solomon Cotton 
James Moses 
George Banfield 
Peter Ball 
Charles Banfield 
Sam : Waterhouse 
John Lang 
Jos Pannnig 
Thomas Manie 
John Shores 
Jabis Pitman 
W'm Cotton jr 
John Abbott snr 
Jos Miller 
John Abbott junr 
James Abbott 
VVm Knowles 
Henry Brown 
John Adams 
Nicholas Browne 
WiUm Walker 
Samll Sevey 
Anthony Roe senr 
Anthony Roe junr 
Laz holmes 
Roger Swaine 
Abram Jones 
William Spregg 
hen Tout 
Joseph Meade 
hen: Beck 
Selvenge Scott 
John Parkes 
Zach Leach 
Joseph Sweet 
William Barnes 
Thomas Wright 



Prudence Tapley 
John Sherburne 
James Sherburne 
Nath Odderhorme 
Noah dodge 
John harnson 
Edw Wells 
Edwd phillip 
Joseph Ballech 
William Amos 
Wm Bladen 
Thomas Cotton 
Thomas Moore 
John Kilos 
William Fosse 
John Moulton 
William Warren 
Abraham dent 
Benjamin Maxfield 
John Partridge 
James Stewart 
Robert Ward 
Stephen Greenliff 
Abraham Barnes 
Edwd Sherburne 
Steph Lange 
Michaell Lovett 
daniel quick 
Francis Raye 
Stephen Noble 
John Davis 
John Snell 
Thomas Greley 
John Savidge jun 
William peavee 
Nathl Gearish 
Snow 
widder denerson 
Benjamn Cotton 
Peter Bab vede 
John Furburn 
Tho. Snow 
Robert pickern 
William Beckman 



Portsmouth Records 



41 



Richd Waterhouse 




John Ford 




Captn Jones 




Joseph Pitman 




Adam peacock 




Ambrose Sloper 




William White 




William hunkins 




Sampson Ball 




John Wesbrous 




John Clarke 




Walter Stears 




John denerson 




Charles Jos 




Robert Lang 




RATED TO 


THE NE 


Maj Wm Vaughan 


15 


Capt Saml Winkley 


I 


Saml Penhallow Esq 


I-I2 


Michael Whedden 


I 


Wido Hatch 


5 


Geo Jaffrey Esq 


1-17 


Wido of Nathl Jackson 


5 


Splan Lovell 


17 


Elisha Briard 


17 


Jno Plaisted Esq 


I- 5 


Jacob Lavers 


5 


Richd Wibird Esq 


I-IO 


Thos Packer Esq 


I-IO 


AVido Mary Martyn 


5 


Wido Eliza Eburn 


5 


Mr Ed Ayres 


I- 5 


Capt Josha Pearce 


I- 8 


James Spinny 


10 


Geo : Marshall 


17 


Wido Sarah Jackson 


5 


Saml Clark 


10 


Benja Miller 


17 


mr Ephr Dennet 


I- 6 


Jno Gilden 


10 


Ed Toogood 


17 


6h 





Ralph burne 

John Lear 

James Pitman 

Richd Shortridge 

Timothy davis 

George Vaughan 

Benjamin Lucey 

Willm partridge 

Thomas walden 

Rec'd the afore mentioned List 

signed p ye hands of 

John Pickering 

William Cotton 

Geo Walker 



James Libbey 

Richard Parsley 

Wm Parker 

Capt James Jeffries 

Solo Hewes 

Mr Richard Gerrish 

Capt Henry Sherburne 

Daniel Jackson 

Richd Martyn 

Jno Jones 

Wid Man 

Timo Waterhouse 

Moses Paul 

Axwell Roberts 

Mr Sam Hincks 

Mr Clement Hewes 

Wid Eliz Dennet 

Capt Thos Pearce 

Oliver Dennet 

Bn Akerman 

Josha Brown 

Ed Pendexter 

Madn Story 

Capt Jno Knight 

Capt Joseph Sherburne 



17 



I- 
I- 



42 



Portsmouth Records 



Capt Saml Hart i 




Capt Henry Sloper 


12 


Obadh Morse 


lO 


Capt Jno Kennard 


15 


Capt Thos Phipps i 




Geo Walker 


8 


Bn Dunnel 


12 


Russell 


8 


Henry Sewerd 


lO 


Richard Tobey 


17 


Mr Bridgeman 


lO 


Richd Elliot 


17 


Ed Cater 


12 


Jno Cutts 


17 


Wm Loud 


17 


wido of Jno Cutts 


17 


Thos Letherby junr 


8 


wido Mary Hunking 


8 


mr Wm ffellows 


i8 


Tobias Langdon junr 


18 


Joseph Molton 


17 


Jno Davis 


12 


CaptArchd Mackpheadrisi- 


-lO 


Saml Swan 


10 


Haddon ye Joyner 


7 


Josiah Clark 


10 


Jere Calef 




Abraham Ayers 


8 


Robt Almery 


lO 


Elberd Elberdson 


5 


Caleb Grassam 


6 


Thos B lash field 


8 


Thomas Harvey 


15 


Nathl Robinson 


8 


Francis Ditte 


12 


Thos Cole 


12 


Wm Lewis 


12 


Saml Rymes 


8 


Thos Landell 


12 


Capt Paul Gerrish 


12 


Jno Shackford 


17 


Jenkin Lewis 


10 


Moses Ingram 


10 


Jno Drew 


10 


Jno Pray 


10 


Jno Young 




Wido Allcock 


10 


Jno Williams 




mr Jno Field 


18 


Humphrey Marshall 




mr Benjn Gambling i 




George Smith 




Saml Shackford 


17 


Jno Churchill 




mr Willet 


3 


James Cod 




Thos Ayres 


12 


Richard Cutts 


10 


Wm Cotton 


17 


Thos Mayn 




Capt Richd Waterhouse 


17 


Jno Almery 




Jno Skilton 


12 


Richd Cross 




Joseph Berry 


10 


Thos Crocker 


5 


Jno Hill 


IS 


Saml Brown 


8 


Jno Ham 


10 


Henry Nicholson 


10 


Capt Thos Sherburne 


12 


Richd Jos & mother 


10 


Joseph Buss 


12 


Henry Keese 


10 


Nathl Mendom 


12 


Stephen Rose 


10 


Capt Gatchel 


12 


Saml Sherburne 


8 


Jno Libbey 


14 


Reuben Abbot 


6 


Laza Noble 


10 


Bn ffoster 


10 


Jere Libbey 


9 


Robt Armstrong jr 


12 


Wido walker 


'T 




Geo: Knight 


10 



Portsmouth Records 



43 



George Pearce 17 

Sanil Manson 12 

Jno Jackson junr 7 

Ed : Cole 15 

Henry Sherburn 1-2 

Henry Sherburn jr 8 

Jno Peverly 12 

Nathl Peverly 10 

Win Ross 7 

Wido Nelson 12 

Thos Westbrook Esq 1-5 

Capt Langdon 1-5 

Nathl Tuckerman 12 

David Gardner 15 

Jere Carter 8 

Wido Almery 3 

Amos ffernald 12 

Joseph Mosses 10 

Moshes Caverley 12 

George Ayres 10 

Doctor Pike 15 

Mr Harry Johnson 12 

Jno Marden 8 

Geo : Townsend 12 

Joseph Miller 12 

Wm Watson 12 

Joseph Allcock 12 

Wm Bennet 8 

Matthew James 10 

Richd Ward 10 

Mr Eleazer Russell 10 

Mr Grindall 12 

Jno Olliver 7 

Saml Ham 12 

Richd Elliot junr 10 

James Studley 10 

Wm Sewerd 12 

Walter Warren 10 

Doctr Bowie 12 



Doctr Draper 10 

Wm Hart 12 

Mr Richd Waldron 15 

Alexr Wyal 10 

Wm ffairweather 10 

Capt Jno Robinson 12 

Thomas Hamet 10 

Wm Pevey 12 

Michael Whidden junr 8 

Thos Simpson 10 

Jno Peverley junr 10 

Saml Brewster 10 

Matthew Nelson 10 

Thos Sherburne junr 7 
Montgomery ye Joynr 6 

Thos Wilkinson 5 

Jno Sherburne 15 

Jno Brewster i 

Geo Almery 10 

Joseph Holmes 6 

Ezekill Pitman 8 

Thos Harris 7 

Philip Woodhouse 8 

Abraham Center 7 

Mr Nathl Shannon 10 

Jno Carter 5 

Mr Bishop 10 

Joseph Downing 8 

James Leach 7 
Capt Walter ffenlayson 10 

Moses Dennet 7 

Ed Kate junr 7 

Thos Langley 7 

Thos Moor 5 

Jona Studley 6 

Jno Brewster junr 5, 
Dd Jere. Calefe Constable. 
Jan 15, 1717. 



y 



APPENDIX 



NOTES 



The following abbreviations are used : 

PR P Provincial Papers of New Hampshire. „ . ^ r i-. j„ „* 

MS c' R Manuscript Court Records, in Rockingham Registry of Deeds at 
Exeter There are six volumes, the earliest beginning with a list of smts en- 
ured hi i67o in the Court of Dover and Strawberry Bank, and ending with deed 
recorced'Hovember, 1653, George Smyth, Recorder. ,1-.l;ef„-f .^J^^.^^// X?e 
nally kept at Portsmouth, but for safety were removed m 1775 to fcxeter, %vliere 

'^14^'Dor'l^TntcHpts of original Documents in the English Archives, re- 
lating to the Early HTsto% of New Hampshire ; Edited by John Scribner Jenness, 
New York: Privately Printed, 1876. 



On a fly leaf of the earliest town-book some one has written 
the following lines (the handwriting resembles that of Elias 
Stileman) : 



' If you will end youre worke in peace 
Then look to god & doe not sease 
To Gide you all from first to last 
Till good thereof you all do tast." 



Page 13. The binder has inserted the first leaf out of its proper 
place. The entry is a copy, signatures and all, in the neat and 
legible hand of Renald Fernald. The last two figures of the 
year being torn off, I have supplied 32 as the date. 



46 Appendix 

" William Frethy" is the only name that does not elsewhere re- 
cur, and it is likely that he was but a temporary resident. He 
was of Georgeana (York) in 1640. Fohonis Saco &> Biddeford, 
56. His name is among the signers of the instrument of sub- 
mission to the Massachusetts at Agamenticus, 22 November, 
1652. William Frethy, fisherman (and Elizabeth, his wife), 
was of York in 1671, 1681, and 1688. He had sons — John 
and Samuel — and the name is found in that town in the last 
century. York Co. MS. Records. 

P. 14, /. I. This order is printed in i Pr. P., lyi. 

lb., I. 34. The site of the meeting-house was upon what is now 
Pleasant street, just below Court, on the west side. The grant of 
the glebe describes the south part of the twelve acres adjoining 
the parsonage house, as " abutting on the edge of the salt creek 
marsh." The little chapel that became a "meeting-house" 
must have occupied the extreme southeast corner, and the par- 
sonage was probably north of it. The marsh is here spoken 
of as lying before the meeting-house, from which we may infer 
that the building faced the south. 

lb., I. 38. Later in the town records, 19 November, 1658, an 
entry recites the laying out of Bachelder's lot of eight acres, 
" with the neck of lande & meadow called formerlie by the name 
of pumphrey's poynt, hee purchasinge the meadow of Jeremiah 
walford." The record at Exeter of a deed of i April, 1661, 
mentions the house of Alexander Bacheler, in the possession of 
Ann, deceased, "on the west side of the Great Island." The 
southwest corner of Great Island, opposite the mouth of Saga- 
more creek answers the description of "Pomfrey's Point." 
The name may have come from William Pomfret, an early 
owner of the Francis Raines house at Strawberry Bank, who 
was of Dover in 1640. 



Appendix 47 

F. 15,/. 5. Thomas Williams in June, 1649, released ^^^ island 
to Richard King. Page 31. I am satisfied that by Clampering 
Island is meant what is now known as Leach's Island. I have 
looked in vain for Clampering, as'a geographical, or family name. 
It may have been the name of a locality in England. 

lb., I. 14. See also page 31 At the edge is a memorandum, 
made some years later by Stileman (to judge from the hand- 
writing) as follows: " * * of her husband e right of dower 
in fo II Com'iser." Consult Rockingham County History 
(1884), Article Rye, p. 456. 

lb., I. 22. The word " twentie " is overwritten; it may be 
" sixtie." 

lb., l. 27. The millswere on the northeast side of Sagamore 
creek, ii MS. C. R., 50. On the 22. i . 1649, Sampson 
Lane granted to Ambrose Lane, among other property, " one 
saw mill now in building at Sagamores creeke in Pascataq . 
river." i Suffolk Deeds, 137. The transaction is minuted 
at Exeter. A Strawberry Bank petition of May, 1653, com- 
plains that while other towns had saw mills, " there is none in 
this Towne, but only one which was never perfected nor like 
to bee." I Pr. P., 208. 

The charter of Newcastle (1693) speaks of a point of land 
on the south side of Saggamore's creek, called " Sampson's 
Point." May not the name have been derived from Sampson 
Lane, one of Mason's stewards, vvho owned land in that neigh- 
borhood, and probably lived there ? 

P. 16, /. 20. The northwest comer of Great Island, called 
" Musketo Hall," appears to have had several owners. Francis 
Matthews had a lease of it in 1637. i Pr. /*., 98; 11 MS. C. R., 
8. The town 17 May, 1656, granted to Mr. Richard Tucker 
the " neck of land on great lUand called Mosketto Hall . . . 
which was formerly the land of John Wottons and so reported 



48 Appendix 

to be." Pa^e^"]. Thomasine, widow of Francis Matthews, 
" entered her caution " for it, 23 July, 1653, as bought by her 
husband from John Hurde, of Sturgeon Creek. George Wal- 
ton also claimed to own it, by sale from Hurde, and entered 
a similar caution 25 July, 1653. 

The old doctor's field belonged to Renald Fernald. Tradi- 
tion says that he resigned the post of surgeon in the British 
navy, to come over with Mason's company. 

P. 16, /. 21. There is reason to believe that page one origi- 
nally began with this entry of April 5, 1652. 

F. 17, /. 17. This is a second extract from the record of 
the town meeting held 15 August, 1646, the first, on page 15, 
reciting a like grant of four acres each of fresh and salt 
marsh to Renald Fernald. 

All that is now left of the "great pond," on the south side of 
the Great House, is what in later days has borne the name of 
Puddle Dock. There was a time doubtless when the waters of 
the South Mill Pond and Puddle Dock united at high tide. 
That there was a ford somewhere across this outlet appears 
from an entry at Exeter, 2 October, 1644. It is " Ordered that 
the inhabitants of Strawberry Banke shall make a sufficient 
ffoote Bridge at the wading place beyond the great house be- 
fore the last of May next upon payne of S £•" i ^■^■^- C. 
P., 26. 

In a deed by John Pickering, of house and land at Picker- 
ing's Neck (a part of this town grant) to his daughter Mary, 
wife of John Plaisted, 23 January, 1691, mention is made of 
running a fence " toward ye creek going in by ye great house 
to ye burying place & so eastward to ye water side." iv AfS. 
C. P., 33- 

P. 18. The petition of 20 October, 165 1, will be found printed 
in I Pr. P., 192. Consult also pages 205 and 207. 



Appendix ^^ 

//; / 27 The "Randavow" was what is now Odiorne's Point. 
The Earliest mention I fuKl of a ferry is late in 1643 or early n. 
164^. in the MS. Court Records, at Exeter, vol. I, p. i4 • 
<^ Henry Sherborne ordered by the court to keepe a fferry & to 
have for his paynes from the great house to the great Island 2d 
And to the prouince xad. To Rowes 3d to Strawberry banck 
6d for one man And if there come 2 or more to have 4d a 
pts to Strawberry Banck 8d a pts to the Provmce & 2d a pts 
for all the other fferrys And tis further ordered that he shall 
keepe an ordinary qt. 8d meale And this order to contmue 
till the general Court take further order." 

"To Rowes" may refer to the house of Nicholas Row, one 
of the grantors of the glebe, 1640. , , , . ,, 

" Sherborn's Poynt," I should say, was the land lymg on the 
north side of Sagamore creek, where the old Wentworth mansion 

stands. . „ . , 1 1 ^ 

On the south side of the creek was Sanders Pomt, the oldest 
English name on the Pascataqua. It was the site of a bridge 
from Great Island as early as 1663 (vm N. H. Hist. Soc, 
133) which a great storm broke in the middle 22 February, 

1683-4. I i'r. P., 531- ^ ^ , 

A letter from Mason and others, dated London, 5 December, 
1632 to their factor Ambrose Gibbins, at Newichewannock, 
says,' " You desire to settle yourself upon Sanders' Point. The 
adventurers are willing to pleasure you, etc " i Pr. P., 69. 
Tohn Elwyn, a descendant of Gibbins, says that Gibbon (as he 
calls him) " lived till he went Upstream in Captain John 
Mason's Garrison house at the mouth of Witch creek," another 
name for Sagamore. Gibbins signed the glebe grant at Straw- 
berrv Bank in 1640, and later was a selectman of Dover. Elwyn, 
who'knew every foot of ground in the neighborhood, and its 
every association, gives us reason to believe that his ancestor 
was laid to rest at this spot, which is not far from where the 
f^rst settler landed. "There is a good many graves since a 
few rods from our Garrison houses cellar, will 1 guess once a 



50 Appendix 

little churchyard, will I half guess too that we brought Gibbon 
down and buried him here, a Saunder's Point the mouth of 
the creek." Some Piscataivay Things And A Good Deal Else, 
P- 47- 

The present bridge from The Wentworth crosses to Sanders' 
Point. The name is preserved there as late as 1757. ix Pr. 
P., 567. 

P. 20, /. 7. "Strawberry Banke creek," afterwards Islington 
creek, and now the North Mill Pond, is sometimes called "The 
Fresh Marsh creek." Clement Campion owned eight acres, on 
" Campion's Neck," which comprised what stretches from the 
North burying-ground to Raynes' ship-yard. Richard Sew- 
ard's grant lay upon "Christian Shore." Campion bought a 
house of Francis Raines, that stood probably not far from 
what is now the corner of Green and Market streets. See page 30. 

P. 21, /. 3. Whoever applies himself to a study of the Ports- 
mouth records will surely find in the brief entry that recites their 
mutilation, a source of almost never-ending perplexity. George 
Walton, whose name often recurs, kept an ordinary at the Great 
Island, where he was licensed to draw wine. Under his roof, 
on the night of the 13th January, 1652 (1653, N. S.), the select- 
men met and proceeded to examine the old town-book. They 
were Bryan Pendleton, Henry Sherburne, Renald Fernald, 
John Pickering and James Johnson, men of force and charac- 
ter, and all of them prominent in our early annals. So much 
of the contents as did not meet their approval they " crossed 
out," and the little they deemed worth saving they directed 
should be recorded in a book to be begun anew (the "first 
book" we now have) and to be confirmed by themselves. 

This extraordinary performance appears not even to have had 
a vote of the inhabitants to justify it. On the contrary, the 
fathers of the town of their own arbitrary notion deliberately 
set themselves at the work of spoliation, leaving behind them 
as a memorial of the deed two or three lines that not so much 



Appendix 61 

as hint at a pretext for their conduct, or in the faintest way re- 
veal the purpose that inspired it. Tampering with a pubhc 
record is treated as a criminal offence at the present day, but 
here the open and avowed manner of its perpetration shows 
that it must have been regarded as a mere incident of official 
duty. A procedure so strange to our eyes cannot fail to arrest 
and fi.x attention, as we interest ourselves in the story of the first 
settlement of the Pascataqua region; and once enquired into, 
the mystery that envelopes it but stimulates a desire to fathom 
its meaning. 

Doubtless much that is now apparently past finding out will 
yield some day to further study, aided, as it surely will be, 
by the papers that are coming to light both here and in Eng- 
land, as a reward of the faithful labors of the antiquarian. 
Whatever progress we may make to-day, we cannot hope to 
reach the true character of this transaction, unless we take into 
account and rightly estimate the relations subsisting between 
our town authorities and the Massachusetts, who since 1642 
had held sway over the settlements at the Pascataqua. 

The wording of the entry leaves it an open question whether 
the selectmen actually made way with the old town-book itself, 
or kept it, perhaps in a mutilated condition, as a part of the 
town records. This uncertainty is enhanced by the fact that 
there seems to be found no trace whatever of the book 
at the present time. I am disposed, upon the whole, to 
doubt whether its disappearance is necessarily to be assigned 
to this memorable act of the 13th January, 1652. In saying 
this I do not overlook the fact that Dr. Belknap speaks of the 
book as "destroyed." His statement has been uniformly fol- 
lowed, and yet he cites no authority other than the entry itself 
that is under consideration. 

The manuscript history by the Rev. Jabez Fitch, of which 
Belknap had the use, now in the library of the Massachusetts 
Historical Society, is silent on this point. A writer to whose 
opinion great deference is due, is the late John Elwyn, of 



52 A2)pendix 

Portsmouth, a man without a superior in his knowledge of what 
pertained to our early history. Speaking of his ancestor, 
Henry Sherburne (one of the selectmen, as we have seen), 
Elwyn styles him, "A church warden of our little English 
chapel the Bay broke up, All there is left of our Fasti earlier 
than the Bay puritans got ours burned and the Saco ones both, 
this is the instrument of Forty." {Some Fiscaiaqua T/iifigs and 
a Good Deal Else, 1870, p. 48.) The Saco records, it may be 
added, are lost prior to 1653, the date when the Massachusetts 
took possession. Curiously enough Bryan Pendleton removed 
in 1665 from Portsmouth to Saco, where the selectmen in 1672 
were ordered to procure a town-book, and Pendleton was re- 
quested to transcribe the records into it. Says Edward P. 
Burnham, who is familiar with the early history of that locality: 
"The Saco records prior to 1653 were probably destroyed. 
It is too late to ascertain what discretion Pendleton exer- 
cised as to what was unfit and what was suitable to be tran- 
scribed, or what became of the former record books." Letter 
of 21 August, 1886. 

A reason for hesitating to believe that the selectmen de- 
stroyed the book itself is this : A new book was begun in De- 
cember, 1664. Into it was copied everything that the town- 
book contained, and thereafter all entries made in the town-book 
were carefully copied into the "new book," the two being 
kept side by side. The record thus reads : 

" At a meeting of the selectmen the 27th of December 1664 
it was agreed upon by a joynt consent as followeth : That the 
Toune Booke shall be carefully copied out into a new Booke, 
which coppie of the original being compared by the selectmen 
now in being shall be as authentick as the originall and that 
all the town acts which are to be recorded for the future shall 
be from year to yeer transcribed into the sayd Booke the 
ground of which agreement is to prevent all confusions which 
for the future may arise through any casualtie by fire water or 
otherwise that may happen to the said originall Booke & being 



Appendix 63 

compared by the selectmen for the time being shall be as au- 
thentick as the originale booke ; as is aforesaid." Rec. 92. 

At intervals thereafter the selectmen certify over their signa- 
tures that they have correctly transcribed the entries " from 
this Booke into the new Booke." The last certificate, at the 
close of the first book, is as follows : " Thus farr transcribed 
into ye new book to ye last of March 1694 and compared ac- 
cording to towne order Win Vaughan, John Pickering, Tobias 
Langdon, Geo. Snell, Selectmen." 

Now upon turning to page 121, we read under date of 22 
April, 1667, the following entry, in the well known hand of 
Elias Stileman, town clerk and one of the selectmen : " The 
present selectmen motioning to have the town boo . . in their 
hands for the better management of the town affa . . which the 
Towne grants viz the two ould bookes." 

Of course, the reader does well to be on his guard lest the 
the brevity of the entries mislead him. It seems to me, how- 
ever, that the expression "the two ould bookes" points to the ex- 
istence of another old town-book than that which has come down 
to us, and which, as we have just seen, became an old town- 
book in 1664, when by order of the selectmen a new book was 
opened. Not unlikely is it that the original book was left in 
existence, shorn of authenticity, at least in regard to what had 
been crossed out. Besides it happens that the signatures to 
the entry of 13th January, 1652, are not originals but copies, 
in the handwriting of Renald Fernald. This fact indicates 
that the five selectmen may have signed their names to an en- 
try in the old, original book, so that what we have is only the 
town clerk's version of that entry. If this be so, it strengthens 
the belief that the book itself did not perish. 

Again, among the theories that have presented themselves 
is this, and it is not wholly lacking in plausibility. There were 
certain entries in the town-book, which the party in control 
wished to get rid of. To effect their purpose, the authorities 
cut out the leaves on which the entries had been written ; and 



54 Appendix 

wherever a leaf chanced to contain another entry, to which 
they had no objection, the town clerk saved it by copying it 
into the present first book. This hypothesis would account 
for the meagre number of items transcribed, and yet leave the 
record, thus curtailed, to stand as theretofore. It is an objec- 
tion well nigh fatal, however, that the extract from page 92 
just given speaks of "the town book," as if there were but 
one. 

The above entry, I ought to explain, is the sole reference I 
have come across lending probability to the suggestion that 
crossing out did not go to the extent of destroying the book 
itself. The enquiry is perhaps after all rather curious than 
important; lor the main fact remains that the public record 
was despoiled, and its sanctity violated. Even if we come to 
believe that the book was kept, with the obnoxious portions 
crossed out in ink only, this would not materially change our 
estimate of the character of the proceeding, or mitigate the 
censure to be visited upon so high-handed a transaction. A 
knowledge of the precise truth might modify, it is likely, our 
views of the purpose with which the act was committed. More- 
ovtr the discovery would serve to keep alive a spark of hope 
that by some miracle of fortune the b. )ok itself may yet be 
brought to light. 

There is indeed a mere possibility that this town-book was 
still in existence in the early part of the last century. We find 
from an entry of 25 March, 1725, that Mr. William Vaughan 
was thought to have in his possession a book, or books of the 
town, and the selectmen were empowered to demand them of 
him, or of any person suspected ; and if need be to employ 
attorneys to recover them. There appears to be no furtl er 
mention of the subject. It is to be expLiined that carrying ofT 
the record books and hiding them was a trick not unknown in 
some of the stormy times of the Province. John Pickering is 
a prominent figure in this kind of work ; and later Major Wil- 
liam Vauyhan tries his hand at it. In 1699 the latter hid certain 



Appendix 55 

books, probably the court records of 16S2-1684, and when 
he deUvered them up in June, 1702, to Mr. Penhallovv, it was 
discovered that twenty-four leaves, covering the judgments in 
Mason's suits, had been cut out. ii Fr. P., 303; in Jb., 298. 
But it is time to enquire what motive governed the select- 
men — what was it that they had determined to suppress in the 
record. Here, it must be confessed, we straightway enter a 
region of speculation. Of one thing, however, we may be 
certain, that the act accorded with the views of the Massa- 
chusetts, if not done at their actual dictation. And this leads 
us to glance at the relation that had subsisted between Straw- 
berry Banke and the Baycolony, todivineif we may how it could 
have served the latter's purpose to have our earlier records con- 
signed to'bblivion. 

It is not easy to recite how it was brought about that the Pas- 
cataqua settlements in 1642 passed under the control of their 
more powerful neighbors, for the devious paths pursued by the 
Bay authorities in claiming jurisdiction here under their patent, 
are every now and then lost in obscurity. \Ve have no records 
of our own to recur to, and the Massachusetts people took good 
care that at every turn events should be represented in a light 
most favorable to their interests. Besides, with slight excep- 
tion Massachusetts has written the history. 

Was the movement to come under the Massachusetts govern- 
ment a spontaneous one, or was it an encroachment, artfully 
planned and as artfully carried out ? So far as I can discover, 
after the most thorough examination that 1 have been able to 
make, not a petition, or other document, is now accessible that 
bears a list of names, or sets forth reasons, from which we may de- 
termine how large a proportion of the planters favored the union, 
or what was the real sentiment that prevailed here. We are 
obliged to depend almost exclusively upon brief records of Mas- 
sachusetts origin. We may indeed catch a glimpse of Hugh 
Peters, after his visit to the Pascataqua region, exclaimir.g with 
true missionary fervor, in a report to Winthrop, that the people 



56 Appendix 

are "ripe for our Government. They grone for government 
and Gospel all over that side of the country Alas poore bleed- 
ing soules." (vi. Mass. Hist. Col.., 4th Series, 108.) But Win- 
throp's own account of " those of the lower part of Pascataqua" 
in 1642, reckons above forty of them who, having been "pro- 
fessed enemies to the way of our churches," became con- 
verted by the teaching of the Rev. James Parker, of Weymouth, 
" a godly man," who labored with them, most of whom, how- 
ever, fell back in time, embracing this present world. (11 Vol. 
93.) In 1643 the inhabitants sent Mr. Parker as their deputy 
to the General Court at Boston, humbly saying, " in the state 
we now stand we know not whether any of us may be admitted 
to a Deputy." i Pr. P., 167, 

The Reverend Jabez Fitch was pastor of the North Church 
from 1724 (when he came from Ipswich) until his death in 
1746. His historical manuscript above referred to consists of 
about threescore small leaves closely written. He cites few au- 
thorities. A fair sample of his style is afforded by the follow- 
ing extract, which embraces all he has to remark upon this par- 
ticular point: 

" These combinations continued not long ; for the number 
of the People increasing and enormities prevailing to such a 
degree that they could not be suppressed by so feeble a gov- 
ernment, and the Inhabitants being uncapable to defend them- 
selves in case of a rupture with the Indians about the year 1642 
they petitioned the Massachusetts to take them under their 
Jurisdiction & Protection by whom they were kindly received 
and admitted to the same privileges with themselves. Repre- 
sentatives were sent from hence to their General Court and 
Major Waldron of Dover was frequently chosen speaker of the 
House of Deputies. Mr. Thomas Wiggin Proprietor of 
Swampscot was then chosen one of the Magistrates. Courts 
of judicature were erected in Dover and Portsmouth. But 
Exeter was annexed to the County of Northfolk which was 
then a County of the Massachusetts consisting of the towns on 



Appendix 67 

Merrimack River and Hampton belonged to the said County, 
who had put themselves under the Massachusetts from the be- 
ginning of their settlement 

" It was a very favorable Providence which then brought 
this People under the Government of the Massachusetts, for 
by this means Prophaneness & Immorality were discounte- 
nanced, and a Learned Ministry encouraged to settle with them, 
without which they would have been as ignorant and heathen- 
ish as some other parts of the Kings Dominions in America." 

Felt characterizes the change as " agreeable to those who 
were for the revolution in the mother country, and offensive to 
such as were opposed to it." i Ecd. Hist., 452. 

The late John Scribner Jenness has traced with a vigorous 
hand the progress of the Massachusetts towards an assumption 
of full control over the Pascataqua, in a contribution to the 
early history of his native state, entitled The Piscataqua 
Patents (Portsmouth, Privately Printed, 1878). " The planters 
on the upper Piscataqua," he concludes, " were torn and par- 
alysed by civil and religious disensions, and those on the 
lower plantation, who since Mason's death had laid claim to 
the ownership of the lands on which they had resided, though 
without any legal title, and now lived in terror of Mason's heir, 
even they, though antipodal in every sentiment to the Bay puri- 
tans, were inclined to seek protection for their property from 
the strong arm of the Massachusetts." Page 47. 

This view, from a writer well qualified to treat of the subject, 
may perhaps be accepted as upon the whole just and rea- 
sonable. How far a well grounded fear of dispossession at 
the hands of the heir of Mason may have operated, it is diffi- 
cult if not impossible to discover. Perhaps it tended in indi- 
vidual cases to make easier an acquiescence in the plan of 
aggrandizement; but a doubt yet lingers over the origin of the 
movement, whether it began with the planters themselves ; and 
if so, how large a number favored it. Herein, it seems to me, 

lies the significance of the silence of the Massachusetts records. 

8h 



58 Appendix 

According to Belknap, " the affair was more than a year in 
agitation;" and it seems that the planters were tenacious of 
their privileges, the union being effected only upon a conces- 
sion that the Bay people must have found it hard to allow. I 
refer to an order that dispensed with church membership as a 
condition precedent to the right of voting. In 1631 the Bay 
colony had restricted the franchise to such only as were church 
members; and says Lechford in 1640, three parts of the people 
of the country remain out of the church. {Flame Dealing, 73.) 
As late as 1676 five-sixths of the men in the colony were non- 
voters because not church members, i Mem. Hist. Boston, 156. 

Of the exception made in favor of the Pascataqua settlers, 
Felt says ingenuously : " Could the Bay authorities have had 
the submission of Piscataqua without such liberty, they would 
undoubtedly have preferred it, rather than granted this indul- 
gence, which tended to weaken its opposite and continued rule 
for their previous jurisdiction," \ Eccl. Hist. 502. 

One ground for deploring the loss of our earliest records is, 
that it deprives us of an opportunity of tracing the origin and 
growth of the town meeting. It would be highly interesting 
to know when the first meeting was held, how it was conducted, 
and particularly what proportion of the inhabitants at the pe- 
riod of union with the Massachusetts had exercised the right 
of freemen. We are told by Belknap that Francis Williams, 
sent over by the adventurers, was continued as Governor " by 
annual suffrage." \Vol. i.,J>. 47.) Williams signs the grant 
of the glebe in 1640, as "Governor," and it is perhaps fairly 
inferential that he had held the office continuously, but I fail 
to discover upon what evidence Dr. Belknap bases his state- 
ment that there was an annual election. 

Cranfield, writing in 1682, speaks of the old record book of 
the Province, from which it appeared that in Captain John 
Mason's life time the inhabitants entered into a combination to 
govern themselves by His Majesty's laws as well as they could. 
"A copy of which I have herewith sent, " he adds {Jenn. Doc, 



Appendix 59 

127), but what he sends turns out to be a copy from the orig- 
inal of the Dover combination of 1640, with all the signatures. 
(/<^., 36.) Hubbard, in 1680, speaks of this instrument as " left 
upon record." If Cranfield had before him the record of com- 
binations bearing an earlier date than 1640 (and he could not 
have been ignorant of the fact that Mason died about Novem- 
ber, 1635,) ^^ 'S ^ P^ty that he did not transmit a copy that 
would have borne out his statement. He is to be understood 
as giving the Lords of the Committee information in the line 
of contention made by the opponents of the Mason claim. A 
Letter from the Council of New Hampshire to the King, t,i May, 
1 68 1, indicates the existence at that date at Portsmouth of 
the Strawberry Bank Combination : " We were possessed of 
the Soyle long before the Massachusetts medled with us. In- 
deed we at length desired them to govern us, when experience 
had taught as yt by our Combinations where into we entered 
(the originals of which signed by the Inhabitants are yet ex- 
tant) to prevent the confusion of Anarchy we could not govern 
ourselves " {Il>., 100.) It may be added that George Burdett, 
in a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 29 November, 
1638, urges that measures be taken to settle His Majesty's 
Government in the Pascataqua, "there yet being none but com- 
binacons ; because ye several! patents upon ye river are thought 
to comprize no commission of jurisdiction." (//>., 32.) In the 
first volume of the records at Exeter, of the courts held at 
Dover and Portsmouth, page 14, is an entry "John Pickering 
inioyned to deliver the old combination at Strawberry banck 
the next Court." The next court was holden at Dover 5. 5 
mo., 1643. 

There are reasons, therefore, to believe that Cranfield spoke 
correctly, when he said that as early as the life time of Mason 
a combination was in force. The town meeting must have 
sprung into being about the same period, so we may not be far 
wrong, even were we to assign 1635 as the year when our town 
records were begun. 



60 Appendix 

Upon Cranfield assuming the office of Governor of the 
Province in 1682, Captain EUas Stileman delivered up the books 
and papers on file in the office of secretary to the new incumb- 
ent, Richard Chamberlain. Among the Province records there 
appears to have been a book, bearing date 1640, and certain 
"old records before Capt. Stileman's time." This early book 
long ago disappeared. We are left to gather most of the history 
of the first ten years of the union from the Massachusetts 
colonial records, where reference to events at Strawberry Bank 
is infrequent, and details are extremely meagre. A few facts 
are to be got from the court records at Exeter, but they per- 
tain rather to individuals than to political history. There is 
nothing to show how the Church of England party fared, or 
what were their numbers ; but such signs as we have tend to 
establish the fact that those of the Puritan way of thinking kept 
themselves in power, and managed affairs pretty much after 
their own fashion. 

It was between 1638 and 1644 that the agents and stewards 
of Mason took possession of the buildings and improvements 
belonging to his estate, and divided among themselves his goods 
and the cattle. The Great House, whose possession was in 
some sense the insignia of authority passed in 1647 into the 
hands of Richard Cutt, a strict Puritan, while the extensive 
lands adjoining (covering what is now the heart of Portsmouth,) 
were parcelled out among the selectmen of the town, of whom 
Cutt was a leading spirit. It is a curious fact that the same 
George Walton, at whose house the spoliation of 1652 was com- 
mitted, gave his deposition in 1685, at the age of seventy, re- 
citing, among other seizures, the fate of the Great House; and 
saying that "to his particular knowledge the servants sent over 
by Capt. Mason, of which some are living, and those descended 
from them which are many, have been and are the most violent 
opposers of the now proprietor, Robert Mason, Esquire." 

Whatever some future disclosure may reveal of the methods 
adopted by the Bay leaders to bring under subjection the 



Appendix gl 

settlement at Strawberry Bank, it is quite apparent that a sub- 
mission once had, those wary and resolute magistrates enforced 
a rigid rule, never for a moment relaxing their etTorts to render 
the lease of power indefinite in duration, by the simple expe- 
dient of entrusting administration to a few only of the inhabi- 
tants, selected because they were zealous Puritans. The strug- 
gle in England, resulting in the ascendancy of Cromwell, was 
not without its share of influence upon the project of supplant- 
ing here such as were known to stand by Church and Kino- It 
must have been no slight task, however, to imbue with Puritan 
sentiments a community so hostile to the Massachusetts polity 
as were the settlers of the lower Pascataqua. In 1642 Richard 
Gibson, the incumbent of the parsonage for whom the glebe had 
been granted two years before, fell under the displeasure of the 
Bay. - He being wholly addicted to the hierachy and discipline 
of England, did exercise a ministerial function in the same way 
and did marry and baptise at the Isle of Shoals, which was now 
found to be within our jurisdiction." So says Winthrop. ( Vol 
II., page 79.) The Court charged him with denying their title' 
and summoned him to Boston, but they forbore to administer 
punishment upon his submission, "being a stranger and about 
to depart the country." ^\-Ith such a beginning as this it be- 
came a question of time how long it would take to convert the 
people to new ways of thinking. 

The Mason claim, as may well be supposed, played an im- 
portant part in the course of events that followed the assump- 
tion by the Bay colony of territorial jurisdiction over the Pas- 
cataqua. Owing to the civil war in England active measures 
had ceased for asserting the rights of the Mason estate until 
at length in 1650 Robert I'ufton Mason, the heir, became of 
age. The next year found Joseph Mason at Strawberry Bank 
sent over by Mistress Ann, the widow and executrix of Captain 
John Mason. His presence here while taking steps t6 enforce 
the title of those whom he represented as agent, must have 
created something of a stir. The party in power, we may well 



62 Appendix 

believe, threw every obstacle in his way ; but as he was disposed 
to enter into some reasonable arrangement with those who had 
lived upon the land and improved it, there were some, it is 
likely, who though poor stood ready to recognize the rights of 
Capt. John Mason's heir, and to make terms for a title. 

At least, Champernowne and others who had not abandoned 
their church, and who chafed under the Puritan rule, could not 
have been slow to treat the agent of the Masons with courtesy, 
and to listen to hear what proposals he had brought. For 
those who had long and patiently endured a government they 
bitterly disliked, Joseph Mason's arrival in the Pascataqua, 
it is more than probable, was a signal for venturing upon a 
scheme of relief. While I know of no proof that Mason was 
connected with the scheme, it happens that just about this time 
(in the summer of 165 1) the discontent of the planters bore 
fruit, and certain daring spirits made the attempt to rise and 
free the settlement from the domination of the Bay. The little 
we are permitted to know of this outbreak is to be gathered 
from the urgent language of a letter despatched from Boston, 
under date of 6th September, i65i,bythe Governor to that 
sturdy helper of the Bay, Captain Thomas Wiggin, " at Swamp- 
scot, in Piscataqua." The malcontents had gone so far as to 
call a town meeting " to joyne together in their way to appoynt 
a governor." This coming to Endicott'sears, he promptly en- 
joins his alert and ever-trusty Wiggin to find out who are in 
the design, and who is to be named Governor. The principal 
actors, says the despatch grimly, must be forthwith sent to 
prison at Boston, to answer their rebellion at the General 
Court, (i Fr. F., 195 ; iii Col. Fee, 443.) The record is si- 
lent as to further proceedings ; but we need not question that 
the strong arm of the Bay government easily quelled the dis- 
turbance. 

To test the right of the heir in the courts, Joseph Mason 
brought an action of trespass against Richard Leader for en- 
croaching upon lands at Newichewannock. After delays the 



Appendix 63 

plaintiff got a verdict ; but the sequel shows it to have been of 
little avail in settling the question of title. The pendency of 
this suit, or a knowledge that it was to be instituted, appears 
to have had the effect of precipitating the action of the Bay 
colony in regard to the northerly bound of their patent. 

Perhaps a single word of explanation is necessary to make 
this statement intelligible to a reader not familiar with the story 
of the Mason patent. 

The patent to the Massachusetts gave them "all the lands 
which be within the space of three English miles to the north- 
ward of the river called Merrymack, or to the northward of any 
and every part thereof." There seems every reason to believe 
that this language was intended to be applied to a river run- 
ning east from west, as does the Merrimack for some dis- 
tance before falling into the sea; and as it was supposed to run 
throughout its entire course. So the Massachusetts themselves 
at first thought, when in 1631 they built a bound-house, three 
miles north of the Merrimack, in what is now the town of Sea- 
brook. Such at any rate was the interpretation given by the 
Lord Chief Justices, and approved by the King and Council, in 
1677, in proceedings that led to the establishment of the Prov- 
ince of New Hampshire, after a determination that Portsmouth, 
Dover, Exeter and Hampton were out of the bounds of Massa- 
chusetts. I Bc/knap, 137. 

But the Bay leaders with great ingenuity and equal perti- 
nacity insisted upon the forced construction that the terms 
of their patent gave them a right to go three miles north of 
the source of the Merrimack (Lake Winnepiseogee,)and thence 
run an east and west line as the northern limit of their territory. 
This construction they formally voted to adopt 31 May, 1652, 
and sent commissioners to run the line from that point to the 
sea, who did their work and reported in October following. 
The boundary thus marked swept in the Mason patent, and 
that part of Maine lying south of Clapboard Island in Casco 
Bay. 



64 Appendix 

Though they did not scruple to assert a claim to the terri- 
.tory clear to the Pascataqua as early as 1641, and indeed 
made it a ground for extending their government hither, it is 
worthy to be noted that the Massachusetts authorities re- 
frained at that time from pushing the claim into an undue 
prominence. The preamble of the order announcing the union 
simply says " it appearcih that. . . .the ryver of Pascataquack 
is within, etc." i Pr. P., 158; i Col. R. 319. 

Ten years later, it seems to have been suffered to remain as 
a point not yet settled, if we may judge from the expres- 
sions found in a petition, bearing date October, 1651, that 
came up from Strawberry Bank, humbly praying to be laid 
out as a township. The signers (five in number) were friendly 
to the Bay, yet they speak as if in doubt as to the jurisdiction : 
" If soe we are yours by streching of ye Line "; and again, 
" If by stretching of the Lyne the Lands bee within your juris- 
diction ; if not then to leave both our persons, lands & all 
freelye to our selves, as formerly we were before you took us 
into your Governt." i Pr. P., 192. 

It is perhaps not too much to say that the Bay people dis- 
played great shrewdness in the mode of setting up their claim 
at the outset, and then in biding their opportunity to enforce 
it by a formal vote, and by running the line. 

This same year the Bay brought under their rule the towns 
of Kittery and York (Agamenticus) in spite of the vigorous 
opposition of many under the lead of Edward Godfrey. The 
year 1652, therefore, marks a new era in the conduct of the 
Massachusetts towards their neighbors to the eastward. To 
quote from Robert Mason's Title (drawn up in 1674) which to 
be sure reads like an indictment: " They did in the yeare 1652, 
in a hostile manner invade the County of Hampshire, compell- 
ing the Loyall Inhabitants to a submission, imposing taxes 
upon them for to supporte their new acquired greatness, etc." 
Jenn. Doc, 57. See also i Belknap, 304. 



Appendix 65 

We find too the author of New Ent^land's Vindication, 
printed at London in 1660, writing' in the following;strain of the 
ambitious designs of the Boston people: " Let it be observed 
that if in ten years they came to this height, what in these 
twenty, having so inriched themselves in Wealth, Strength, 
and Fortifications, that if they Fortifie Piscataqua River for 
themselves as they have subjugated it, and now Arm against 
the Dutch new Neatherland, with their united CoUonies, they 
may be invincible States of America." Page 7. 

That a connection exists between this march of events and 
the spoliation of our town records has no doubt occur- 
red to the reader. He can scarcely avoid a conviction that 
it must have been vitally important for our energetic and ag- 
gressive neighbors to be able, while asserting claim of title 
beyond their conceded borders, to remove all fear of being 
confronted by evidence at variance with their pretensions, 
drawn from the local records. It is by no means unlikely that 
the pages of the old Strawberry Bank town-book revealed a his- 
tory that invited its destruction. There are some who think 
they discern in the general conduct of the Massachusetts to- 
wards the other settlements, a studied plan of seizing upon ter- 
ritory and following up the occupation of it by a suppression 
of every recorded entry that might make against their claim. 
Such views can hardly be dismissed as distorted or unjust, in 
face of the fact that as new-comers in distinct localities the ad- 
vent of the Massachusetts authorities is attended almost im- 
mediately with a disappearance of early records. 

But leaving to future exploration the interesting question 
how far the spoliation of 1652 is to be attributed to the settled 
policy of the Massachusetts to fortify their claim of title, let 
us try to account for it by reasons lying within a somewhat 
narrower compass. We observe that after ten years the au- 
thorities had come at last to feel the ground firm under their 
feet. Everything tends to show that from henceforth nobody 

is to question the character of their title to the soil. Certain 
9h 



66 Appendix 

it is that all the signs of the time point to a determination by 
the rulers of the Bay to begin a new order of things. They 
were ready to treat the disaffected with a yet firmer hand. 
vSome individuals there doubtless were to whom the town had 
voted grants, which though entered upon the town-book had 
not as yet been laid out. These grants should be rendered 
null. Acres of outlying land awaited the order of the authori- 
ties to be parcelled out among the townspeople — marshy 
meadow and forest as yet uncleared. 

Is it not likely that to this critical period much is justly ap- 
plicable that is complained of thirteen years later to the King 
at the restoration, complained of by such men as Champer- 
nowne, Corbet, Sherborn, Sloper, Hunking and Atkinson, 
not to mention others? For several years past (such is the 
burden of their petition in 1665) five or six of the richest men 
have ordered all offices, denying us the benefit of freemen and 
church privileges ; managing to get into their hands the lands 
for themselves, so that " honest men who have been here a 
considerable time have no lands at all given them, and some 
that have lands given and laid out to them, the said contrary 
party have disoumed the grants and laid it ont to others y 
Je7in. Doc. 48 

Let the reader turn to the entry in the town-book which has 
furnished the subject of this note, and he will see recorded on 
the same date a list of " outlots granted to the inhabitants." 
{Page 20.) Not many months before this (in April 1652,) the 
selectmen had ordained that all grants previously made should 
be subject to their power to confirm or not, as they should see 
fit, an exercise of authority that tells its own story. {Page 16.) 
By resorting to the early records in the Suffolk registry 
of deeds, we find at least one instance where a grant by Straw- 
berry Bank to a settler was made in 1645, yet there is no trace 
of it in the entries copied into "the new book ;" so we may infer 
that these entries do not embrace every grant made by the 
town previous to January, 1652. Nicholas Shapleigh, late of 



Appendix 67 

Strawberry Bank grants to Thomas Beard, of Dover, by deed 
acknowledged 22 May, 1645, house and land at Strawberry 
Bank, to wit, foure Acres enclosed & six score Acres more or 
less granted by the towne together with the marsh thereto be- 
longing & all his Right to any lands yet to be divided, (i Suf- 
folk Deeds, 60.) Nicholas Shapleigh was a Quaker, and an op- 
ponent of the Bay people. 

Till better explanation be reached, are we not brought to the 
conclusion that the inroad made upon the town records was 
designed in part to cut off grants and privileges from certain of 
the settlers who were out of favor with the party in power ? A 
summary and convenient way was thus presented of throwing 
into the hands of the selectmen the whole body of outlying 
land, to be parcelled out in conformity with a new order of 
things, irrespective of what had been the relative prominence 
and dignity of the planters, as shown upon the pages ot 
the old town-book. Perhaps, too, there were those who 
had taken part in the seditious movement of 1651, and who 
should thus be made to feel how futile it was to attempt to resist 
the power of the Bay government. In fine, so far as the old 
town-book spoke of chartered rights belonging to any one who 
was in disfavor, it should be silenced. 

Not that this in many instances afiected the tide of lands in 
possession, but the disposition of lands not already occupied 
was of great moment, and could be used with telling effect. 
The book was kept in the hands of Puritan selectmen, and it 
was not in the nature of the times probably to lay it open to 
such general inspection as would be the case in these later 
days. 

I do not indulge in any reflection upon the character of the 
motives that may have prompted this act, nor do I forget that 
it is to be judged, if at all, by a standard far different from that 
of the present time. 

That the book may have contained entries favorable to the 
Mason title, and that these were suppressed to keep tliem from 



68 Appendix 

being used by Mason's agent, is a conjecture unworthy, it seems 
to me, of even a passing consideration. 

P. 32, /. 9. The island granted to Anthony Ellins, between 
John Wotton's (Muskito Hall) and Clampering (Leach's) 
Island must have been what is now called Pest Island. The 
former name of Pest Island appears to have been Anihoyiy — 
possibly dating back to the ownership of Ellins. There was a 
pest house on Anthony Island in 1740. v. Pr. P., 60, 124. 

P. 36, /. 26. This confirmation appears to include what is 
now Noble's Island. There is a record of June, 1650, of a 
conveyance by Ambrose Lane (who got title from Sampson 
Lane) to John Jackson, cooper, of " all that house and oute 
houses Inclosed lands and commons with sixe acers of marsh 
belonging unto the same lying between the ould doctor's marsh 
[See page 15, 1. 8] and the Creeke beinge the marsh sometime 
belonging to the great house comonly called by the name of 
the plimmoth plantation with the appurtenancies thereunto be- 
longing beinge the houses and lands wherein on John Crouther 
lived in and commonly called Crowther's house lyinge and 
beinge within Strawberry Banke aforesaid except the Hand ly- 
inge and being on the norther side of the saj'd house by esti- 
mation eight acres or thereabouts." 11 MS. C. R., 5. John 
Jackson (and his wife Joan) conveyed the Hand 25 June, 1660, 
to Thomas Jackson, cooper, and speaks of it as " confermed to 
the sd John Jackson by the selectmen of Ports in 1656 signed 
under their hands & annexed to ye said deed of Mr Lane's 
aforesaid." The grant was " together with all the trees and 
wood fallen & unfallen." I[>., 37. 

The entries at pages 29 and 31 indicate that the island for 
a while bore the name of other occupants, viz: Thomas Furson, 
and afterward, Roger Knight. 



INDKX 



Abbett Richarrl 38 

Abbil Waller 20. 21, 22, 23. 24. 25, 

26, 37, 38, 39 
Abbite Walter 13 
Abbot James 40 
John sr 40 
" jr 40 
Peter 40 
Reuben 42 
Adams 8 

John 40 
Agamenlicus 46, 64 
Akerman Bn 41 
Allcock Joseph 43 
widow 42 
Allen Charles 38 
Allmery John 42 
Robt 42 
widow 43 
Amenteene John 39 
Amos William 40 
Anthony Island 68 
Armstrong Robert jr 42 
Atkins Joseph 38 
Atkinson 66 
Avery Thomas 38 
Ayres Abraham 42 
Ed 41 
George 43 
Tho8'42 
Bab Peter vede 40 
Bacheller Alex 23, 28, 86, 38. 46 
Ann 46 



Bachelor Allixsander 14. 20 
Bachiller Ellixander 13, 21 
Ball Peter 40 

Sampson 41 
Ballech Joseph 40 
Banfield Charles 40 
George 40 
Hugh 40 
Barnes Abraham 40 
Thomas 40 
William 40 
Bartton Edward 17 

goodraan 15, 23, 31. 36, 38 
Bay Colony The 55, 58, 63, 64 
Beard Thomas 67 
Becke Henry 20. 38, 40 
Beckman William 40 
Beekford Henrx' 40 
Bell Charles H'll 
Bellinuura Thomas 18 
Belknap 7. 8,51, 58, 64 
Benmore Philip 39 
Bennett John 5 

AVilliam 43 
Berry Joseph 42 

William 15. 17. 20, 21, 22, 
23, 26, 30, 31 
Berwick Falls 7 
Biddeford 46 
Bishop mr 43 
Bladen William 40 
Blnshtield Thomas 42 
Boston 1. 14, 56, 61. 62,65 



70 



Index 



Bowie Dr 43 
Bracket Anthony 13 
Bracliit Anthony 17. 21, 22. 23. 26, 
31,83,34,35,36, 
37,38 
Brakite Antony 20 
Brewster Chark-s W 2 
John 39, 43 
" jr43 
Samuel 43 
Briard Ellsha 41 
Bridgeman mr 42 
Brookiu William 13. 20. 23, 28 
Brougliton Thomas 39 
Brown Henrj"^ 40 

Joshua 41 

Nicholas 40 

Siiniuel 42 
Browne mr 34, 35, 37 
Buliord Marcellus 3, 12 
Burdett George 59 
Burne Ralph 41 
Buruham Edward P 52 
Bushbi e Kol)erl 39 
Buss Joseph 42 
Calef Jere 42, 43 
Campion Clement 30, 31, 50 

mr 20 
Campion's Necke 34, 50 
Canierbury 59 
Carter Jcre 43 

John 43 
Casco Bay 63 
Cater Ed 42 
Caverley Moshes 43 
Center Abraham 43 
Chamberlain Richard 60 
Chaiiipernon Capt 20, 23, 27, 28, 
29 33. 35. 37 
Francis 30, 37, 62, 66 
Chanler old 3S 
Chaterton goodman 20 
Christian Shore 50 
Churchill John 42 
Clampering Island 15,31, 42, 46, 68 
Clapboard Islund 53 
Clark Josiah 42 

Samuel 41 
Clarke Ed war.! 38 

John 41 
Cod Jatnes 42 
Cole Edward 43 



Thomas 42 
Colmer Abraham 5 
Combination at Strawberry Bank 

8.59 
Commins Richard 21, 23, 34, 86, 

37, 39 
Commons Richard 20 
Corbett Abraham 39, 66 
Cotton Benjamin 40 
Solomon 40 
Thomas 40 

William 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 
25, 26, 28, 29, 38. 
39, 41, 42 
jr 40 
Court R.icord8 45, 49, 59, 60 

Street 46 
Cranfield 58, 59, 60 
Crocker Thomas 42 
Cromwell 61 
Cross Richard 42 
Crouther John 17, 31, 68 
Crowder John 36 
Curryer Jeff 89 
Cut John 27, 89 

Richard 13, 16. 20, 21, 22, 23. 
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 
33, 37, 38 
Cutts John 43 

Richard 42, 60 
Davis John 40, 42 

Robert 13. 31, 38 
Timothy 41 
Deane Charles 6, 7, 11 
DenersoQ John 41 

widow 40 
Dennet Elizabeth 41 
Ephraim 41 
Moses 41 
Oliver 43 
Dennis Thomas 39 
Dent Abraham 40 
Ditte Francis 42 
Dodge Noah 40 

Dover 14, 18, 23, 34, 45, 46, 41), 
56 59, 63, 67 
Point 6 
Downing Joseph 43 
Drake Francis 39, 35, 37, 38 
goodman 34 
Jane 31 
Nathaniel 31, 36, 37, 38 



Index 



71 



Draper Doctor 43 
Drew Jobn 42 
Drown Daniel P 5 

Thomas P 5 
Dunnel Bn 42 
Earle William 39 
Eburn Eliza 41 
Elberdson Elberd 42 | 

Ellins Anthony 15, 20, 23, 31, 32, I 
37, 38, 68 
Richard 42 

jr43 
Elliot Robert 38 
Ellos John 40 
Elwyn John 49,51, 52 
Endicott 62 
Euius William 20, 21 
Evans John 4 
Exeter 56, 60, 63 

Records 9, 45, 47, 48, 49, 59 
Eyers mr 38 
Fairweather William 43 
Fanning Joseph 40 
Fellows William 42 
Felt 57, 58 

Fenlaysim Walter 43 
Fernald Amos 43 

Renald 4, 10, 13, 15, 16, 
17, 18.19,20,21, 
22,23.24, 25,26, 
27,30,31, 32.33, 
34, 35, 36, 37, 45, 
48, 50, 53 
Samuel 4 
widow 38 
Field John 42 

The Old Doctor's 16, 31, 48 
Fitch Jabez 51, 56 
Fletcher John 4 
> olsom 46 
Foot b lid <fe 48 
Ford John 41 
Forte Poyut 36 
Foss John 38 

William 40 
Foster Benjamin 50 
Fresh Marsh Creek 42 
Frethy Elizabeth 46 
John 46 
t^amuel 46 
William 13. 46 
Fryer Nathaniel 39 



Furbur John 40 
Furson Thomas 31, 38, 68 
GamblinfT Benjamin 42 
Gardner David 42 
Gatcliel Capt 42 
Gearish Nathaniel 40 
Georgeana 46 
Gerrish Paul 42 

Richard 41 
Gibbins Ambrose 49, 50 
Gibson Richard 61 
Gilden John 41 
Glebe grant of 8, 17, 29 
Gleeden Charles 39 
Godfrey Edward 64 
Goodrich Mercer 12 
Grassam Caleb 42 

Stephen 39 
Great Bay 14, 29. 35 

House 15, 48, 00, 68 
Island 7, 15, 16, 17,19, 46, 

47, 49, 50 
Pond 17, 48 
Green street 50 
Greene goodman 16 

Edmund 39 
Greenland 35 
Gieenleaf Abner 3 

Stephen 40 
Greley Thomas 40 
Grilbn Ph 38 
Grindall mr 43 
Haddon 42 

Hains Samuel 21, 27, 29, 33, 37 
Hall John 38 
Ham John 42 

Samuel 43 
Hame goodman 24. 25 
Mathew -SO, 37, 38 
William 20, 23, 24, 37, 38 
Hamet Thomas 43 
Hampshire 64 
Hampton 34. 57, 63 
Harris Thomas 43 
Harrison John 40 
Hart John 20. 38 
Samuel 43 
William 43 
Harvey Thomas 42 
Hatch widow 41 
Haynes Samuel 38 
Heard's Necke (John) 23 



72 



Index 



Hewes Clement 41 
Solomon 41 
Hill John 43 

Valentine 38 
Hilton 6 

Hincksim Thomas 38 
Holmes Joseph 43 

Laz 40 
Hubbard 5, 7, 59 
Humher Huphrv 33 
Humpkins Arcullus 20, 23, 27, 29 
good man 29 
Hercules 32, 33, 38 
John 24, 25 

Hunking 66 

Mark 39 
Mary 42 
Hunkins William 41 
Huntress Daniel 3 
Hurde John 48 
Ingram Moses 42 
Ipswich 56 
Islington Creek 50 
Jackson Daniel 41 

Ephraim 39 
Joan 68 

Johnl3, 20.26,28. 29, 30, 
36.37,38,68 
" senior 39 
" junior 43 
Nathaniel 41 
Richard 38 
Sarah 41 
Thomas 39, 68 
Jaffrey George 41 
James Matthew 43 
Jaquith Hemy 39 
Jefferson Hall 2 
Jeffries James 41 
Jeiiness John Scribner 6, 45, 57 
Johnson Harry 43 

James 13. 16, 17, 18, 20. 
21, 22, 23, 25. 28, 
33. 34, 36, 37, 38, 
39, 50 
John 39 
Jonathan The 5 
Jones Abram 40 
Capt 41 

Ellixsander 20, 32, 39 
George 39 

John 13, 20. 22. 23. 24, 25, 
32, 37, 38, 41 



Jos Charles 41 
Ricliard 42 
Kate Ed junr 43 
Keais Samuel 4 
Keese Henry 42 
Kennard John 42 
Kennestoue John 39 
Kettle John 39 
King Richard 31, 47 
Kiltery 22, 64 
Knigh Anne 30 

George 42 
John" 41 

Roger 9, 13, 15, 20, 29. 30, 
31, 32, 38, 68 
Knowles William 40 
Laconia Company The 7 
Landell Thomas 42 
Lane Ambrose 15. 18, 20, 24, 47, 68 

Sami)son 47, 68 
Lang John 40 

Robert 41 
Langdon Capt 43 

Tobias 53 

" junr 43 
Toby 38 
Lange Stephen 40 
Langley Thomas 43 
Lavers Jacob 41 
Leach James 37, 38, 43 

Zach 40 
Leach's 'sland 47, 68 
Leader mr 20, 23 

Richard 18. 62 
Lear John 41 
Lechford 58 

Letherby Thomas junr 42 
Lewis Jenkin 42 

Phillip 22, 37, 38 
William 42 
Libbey James 41 
Jere 42 
John 43 
Libby Jeremiah 4 
Little Harbor 5. 7 
Lock John 38, 'i'} 
London 65 
Loud William 42 
Lovell Splan 41 
Lovett James 39 

Michael 40 
Lucev Benjamin 41 
Lux William 39 



Index 



73 



Mackpheadris Archibald 42 
Maine 63 
Maine Thomas 40 
Man widow 41 
Mansfield widow 24 
Manson Samuel 43 
Maiden John 39, 43 
Market Streei 50 
Marshall George 41 

Humphrey 42 
Martyn Mary 41 

Richard 4, 38, 41 
Mason Ann 61 

Capt John 4. 7, 8, 47, 48, 49, 
55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 
61,02,63 
Joseph 61, 62 
mr 20, 24, 38 
Robert 60. 61, 64, 67, 68 
Massachusetts Bay 6, 9, 51, 52, 
55, 56, 57, 58, 
59, 60, 61. 63, 
64, 65 
Hist'l. Soc. 51 
Mastell Robert 23 
Mattean Houbert 27 
Matthew James 43 
Matthews Francis 47, 48 
Thomasine 48 
Mattoone Robert 38 
Maxfield Benjamin 40 
Mayn Thomas 42 
Meade Joseph 40 
Meeting House The 14, 16, 46 
Melcher Edward 38 

Nathaniel 40 
Mendom Nathaniel 42 
Merrimack 57, 63 
Mill Dam 10 

Pond 48, 50 
Miller Alexander 40 
Benjamin 41 
Joseph 40, 43 
Mills 47 

Molton Joseph 42 
Montgomery 43 
Moodey Joshua 11 
Moor Thomas 43 
Moore Thomas 40 
Morris William 38 
Morse Obadinli 42 
Moses James 40 



Moss Jos 39 

Moulton John 40 

Mosses Joseph 43 

Moy sis John 20, 23, 31.38 

Musketlo Hall 37. 47, 68 

MuHsell Robert 20, 26, 38 

Moulton John 40 

Mustell goodman 33 

Neall Waller 23, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38 

Nelson Matthew 43 

widow 43 
Newcastle 7, 47 
New Hampshire Council 59 
First settlement of 5, 6 
Province 63 
Provincial Papers 45 
N(;w Nelherland 05 
Newichewannock 7, 49, 62 
Nicholson Henry 42 
Nick Phi 39 
Noble Laza 42 

Stephen 40 
Noble's Island 68 
North burying ground 50 

Parish records 11 
Northfolk 56 
Nowell Increase 14 
Odderhorne Nath 40 
Odiorne John 38 
Odiorne's Point 5, 6, 49 
'-.OUiver John43 
Onyun Thomas 38 
Packer John 40 

Thomas 41 
Paine William 16 
Palmer William 31 
Pannaway 5 
Parker James 56 

William 41 
Parkes John 40 
Parsley Richard 41 
Partridge John 39, 40 

William 41 
Pa?cataqua 5, 6, 9, 49, 51, 55, 56, 

58, 59, 61, 62, 64 
Pascataquack 64 
Paull Daniel 38 
Peacock Adam 41 
Pearce George 43 
Joshua 41 
Thomas 41 
Peavee William 40 



74 



Index 



Peirce Joshua 4 
Pendexter Ed 41 

James 39 
Pendilton Joseph 19, 20 
Pendleton Bryan 13, IG, 17, 18. 19 
20,21, 22, 23, 26, 
27, 28. 29, 33, 34, 
39, oO, 52 
Penhailow James 39 

Huuking 2 
John 4 
mr 55 
Samuel 41 
Pest Island 68 
Peters Hugh 55 
Peverly John 43 
John jr 43 
Nathaniel 43 
Peverlly Thomas 13, 20, 21, 

38 
Pevey William 43 
Phillip Edward 40 
Phipps Thomas 42 
Pickering John 13, 14, 16, 
19. 20, 21, 
25, 27, 28, 
33, 34, 35, 
38, 39, 41, 
53, 54, 59 
Eobert 40 
Pickern Jolin jr 39 
Pike Doctor 43 
Pincomb's Creek 35 
Piscalaqua 57, 62, 65 
Pitman Eliza 39 

Ezekiel 43 
Jabis40 
James 41 
Joseph 41 
Samuel 39 
Plaisted John 41, 48 

Mary 48 
Pleasant Street 46 
Plimmoth 68 
Plymouth 5 
Pomeroy Leonard 5 
PomfresPoyntlS, 46 
Pomlret William 
Portsmouth 1, 2, 5, 6, 45, 52, 56, 
57, 59, 60, 63 
Ann ah Of 8 
/(ambles About 2 
Pray John 42 



23, 26, 



17, 18, 
22, 24, 
29, 31, 
36. 37, 
48, 50, 



Preston John 39 
Province The 49, 60, 63 
Puddle Dock 48 

Pudington Kobert 13, 18, 20, 21, 
22. 23, 26, 27, 
30, 31, 33, 38 
Quick Daniel 40 
Ragge Jaffry 15 
Raines Francis 30, 46. 50 
Rains mr 29 
Rand Francis 13, 21, 22, 24, 25, 

26, 36, 38 
Randavou The 18, 49 
Raye Francis 40 
Raynes 50 
Records Court 45 
Reuals John 17 
Riddan Thaddeus 13, 18 
Roberts Axwell 41 

John 39 
Robinson John 43 

Nathaniel 42 
Rockingham County 45, 47 
Roe Anthony seur 40 
" junr 40 

Roger Joseph 39 
Rose Stephen 42 
Ross William 43 
Row Nicholis 20, 24, 26, 36, 38, 49 

Russel 42 

Eleazer 43 
Rye 5, 47 
Rymes Samuel 42 
Saco 46, 52 

Sagamore Creek 15, 31, 46, 47, 49 
Sander's Point 49. 50 
Sandy Beach 14, 25, 26, 31, 32, 36 
Sargent John 38 
Savidg Henry 38 
Savidge John jr 40 
Saward Richard senr 38 
" junr 38 

Scott Selvenge 40 
Seabrook 63 

Seavie William 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 
23, 26, 30. 33. 34, 
35, 36, 37, 38 
Seaward Joseph 5 
Seward gondman 27 

Henry 42 

Richard 20, 23, 34, 50 

William 43 
Sevy Samuel 40 



Index 



75 



Thomas 30, 21, 22, 23, 35, 30, 
37.38 
Shackford John 42 
Samuel 42 
Shannon Nathaniel 43 
Shapleigh Nicholas 66, 67 
Sherborn James 40 

John 13, 14, 30, 31, 33, 
23, 34, 30, 37, 38, 
39, 40, 43 
Joseph 41 
Samuel 43 
Thomas 42 
Thomas jr 42 
Sherborn's Poynt 18, 49 
Sherburn mr 37 
Sherburne Edward 40 

Henry 4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 
17, 18, 19, 20. 21,- 
23, 36, 28, 30, 36, 
87, 38, 41. 43, 49, 
50, 52, 66 
Henry jr 43 
Sherwill Nicholas 5 
Shoals Isle of 61 
Shores John 40 

Robert 39 
Shortridge Kichard 41 
Simpson Thomas 43 
Skilton John 42 

Sloper 66 

Ambrose 41 
Henry 42 
Richard 38, 39 
Smith George 43 
Quince 38 
Smyth George 45 
Snell George 53 
John 40 

Snow 40 

Thos 40 
Spinny James 41 
Spregg William 40 
Square Bar 38 
Stears Walter 41 
Stewart James 40 
Stileman Elias 4, 31, 45, 47, 53, 60 
Story Madam 41 

Strawberry Bank 7, 14. 15, 17, 18, 

19.30,45,46,47, 

48, 49, 55, 59. 60, 

61,64,65,66,67 

Creek 50 



Street Joseph 40 
Studley James 43 

Jonathan 43 
Sturgeon Creek 48 
Suffolk Registry 1, 47, 66, 67 
Swaine Roger 40 
Swan Samuel 43 
Sweet Joseph 40 
Tapley Prudence 40 
Thomson David 5, 6, 7 
Tobey Richard 42 
Toogood Ed 41 
Tout Henry 40 
Townsend George 43 
Treadwell Samuel P 12 
Trickee Francis 21, 33 
Trike Francis 13, 16, 30 
Triminifs Oliver 31 
Trimmings Oliver 13, 15, 30, 33, 

33, 35, 36 
Tucker Richard 31, 28, 29, 35, 

37, 39, 47 
Tucker man Nathaniel 43 
Tufton 61 
Urin William 29 
Usher Dermont 39 
Vaughan George 41 

William 39, 41, 53, 54 
Walden Thomas 41 
Waldron Major 56 

Richard 43 
Walford goodman 26 

Jeremy 16, 20, 23, 32, 38 
Thomas 13, 30, 33. 28, 33, 
33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 
38 
Walker George 39, 41, 43 
Joseph 38 
widow 42 
William 40 
Wallis George 39 
Walton George 9. 13, 18, 19, 30, 
21,23, 28. 37, 38, 
42, 50. 60 
Wannerton Thom is 9, 37 
Ward Richard 43 

Robert 40 
Warren Walter 43 

William 40 
Waterhouse Richard 41, 42 
Samuel 40 
Timothy 41 
Watson William 43 



76 



Index 



Webster John 15. 19, 30. 23, 25, 26, 
29. 33. 34, 3o, 36, 37, 
3S 
the younger 31 

Wedg Thomas oS' 

"VTeeks Leontird oS 

Wells Edward 40 

Wentworth 49, 50 

George 4 
Hunking 4 

West Edward 39 

We^tbrook Thomas 43 

Westbrous John 41 

Wevmouth 56 

Whedden .Michael 41 

Whlddtn Michael jr 43 

White William 41 

Wibird Richard 41 



Wiggin Thomas 56, 63 
Wilkinson Thomas 43 
Willet mr 42 
Williams Francis 17. 58 

John 43 

Thomas 15, 31, 47 
Winacont Kiver 23. 33, 35, 37 
Wiuklev Samuel 41 
Winnepiseosree 63 
Winthrop 55. 56, 61 
W:tch Creek 49 
WooiUiouse Phillip 43 
Wotton John 20, 24, 37. 47, 68 
Wottoii's Neck 16 
Wright Thomas 40 
Wval Alexander 43 
York 46, 64 
Young John 42 



CORRECTIONS: 



Page 29, line 7 from bottom, for "1663," read "1653." 
" 40, line 4, for "Odderhorme, ' read "Odderhorne." 



TQDQRY OF CONGRESS 

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